heighten

verb

height·​en ˈhī-tᵊn How to pronounce heighten (audio)
heightened; heightening ˈhīt-niŋ How to pronounce heighten (audio)
ˈhī-tᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

1
a
: to increase the amount or degree of : augment
b
: to make brighter or more intense : deepen
c
: to bring out more strongly : point up
d
: to make more acute : sharpen
2
a
: to raise high or higher : elevate
b
: to raise above the ordinary or trite
3
obsolete : elate

intransitive verb

1
archaic : grow, rise
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 system provides a window into what could happen in other states that pursue laws regulating embryos’ personhood and legal rights, with Alabama’s ruling heightening concerns. Anumita Kaur, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 The agency’s role in its creation is likely to heighten scrutiny of the report’s conclusions. Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Similar to the synergy of the Rock ‘N Wrestling Era, Slaughter’s popularity was heightened by the rise of GI-Joe action figures and cartoons, where Slaughter was a central figure. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Moreover, the transition is expected to be fairly quick, heightening uncertainty in forecasts of weather impacts. Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 El Niño is part of a natural, cyclical phenomenon, but climate change heightens the stakes by raising baseline temperatures before El Niño swoops in to push the mercury up even higher. Justine Calma, The Verge, 29 Feb. 2024 Laken Riley’s murder has shocked many Americans and heightened outrage about the Biden administration’s border policies. Emma Colton, Fox News, 28 Feb. 2024 Boeing’s shift to dependence on suppliers heightened the wave of defects that have brought so many delays, as well as steep losses, over the past half-decade. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2024 Living in a world not designed with disability in mind heightens your ability to problem solve and, over time, hones your ingenuity. Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heighten.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of heighten was in 1523

Dictionary Entries Near heighten

Cite this Entry

“Heighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heighten. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

heighten

verb
height·​en ˈhīt-ᵊn How to pronounce heighten (audio)
heightened; heightening ˈhīt-niŋ How to pronounce heighten (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
1
: to make or become brighter or greater
heightened the citizens' awareness
2
: to raise high or higher : elevate

More from Merriam-Webster on heighten

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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