heightened; heightening
ˈhī-tᵊn-iŋ 
ˈhīt-niŋ
1
a
: to increase the amount or degree of : augment
heighten interest in the book
heighten tensions in the region
b
: to make brighter or more intense : deepen
… slowly rubbing the gold piece … as if to heighten its lustre …—
Herman Melville
Herman Melville
c
: to bring out more strongly : point up
… uses the camera to punctuate and heighten the story.—Stacey Bell
Stacey Bell
d
: to make more acute : sharpen
heighten the contrast on a monitor
2
a
: to raise high or higher : elevate
b
: to raise above the ordinary or trite
heightened prose
3
obsolete
: elate
2
a
: to become great or greater in amount, degree, or extent
b
: to become brighter or more intense
Examples of heighten in a Sentence
The plan will only heighten tensions between the two groups.
This tragedy has heightened our awareness of the need for improved safety measures.
Tensions between the two groups have heightened.
Recent Examples on the Web
The sharp drop in mortgage rates over the latter half of 2025 owed in part to data showing a slowdown in hiring, which heightened expectations that the Fed would slash interest rates in an effort to boost the ailing labor market.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 2 Jan. 2026
Riders routinely report robberies and assaults, and a string of violent incidents over the past two months has only heightened concerns.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
Shorten is passionate about these woodlands, moors, and peaty bogs in a way that serves to heighten your own experience of being there.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2026
While full moons in general are believed to amplify emotions, this month's is likely to heighten sensitivity around home, family and emotional needs.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heighten
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Max Zahn, ABC News, 2 Jan. 2026
Riders routinely report robberies and assaults, and a string of violent incidents over the past two months has only heightened concerns.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
Shorten is passionate about these woodlands, moors, and peaty bogs in a way that serves to heighten your own experience of being there.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2026
While full moons in general are believed to amplify emotions, this month's is likely to heighten sensitivity around home, family and emotional needs.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heighten
Cite this Entry
“Heighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heighten. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share