HEIGHTEN Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

heighten

verb

ˈhī-tᵊn

Definition of heighten

as in to intensify

to make markedly greater in measure or degree several controversial measures have heightened parental awareness of the impact of school policy decisions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to lift

to move from a lower to a higher place or position heightened the hem on her skirt just a couple of inches

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of heighten That heightens the risk that Facebook and Instagram users will be targeted in deceptive deepfakes, NBC News reported. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026 An aspect between love planet Venus and numinous Neptune heightens our intuition, compassionand ability to read between the lines. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026 Those risks are heightened in the metropolitan area, given state laws in Kansas and Missouri surrounding local agencies’ abilities to assist with immigration enforcement. — Sofi Zeman july 8, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026 Michigan’s 1835 bid for statehood heightened IRL tensions between Toledo residents—who largely identified as Ohioans—and Michiganders, who intended to claim the territory. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for heighten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heighten

Verb

Now, an intensifying war has again closed off significant access to Persian Gulf oil, reinjecting chaos into the market.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Authorities arrested presidential candidates, opposition figures, business leaders and journalists ahead of that vote as the government intensified its criminalization of dissent.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of intensify

Verb

Nevertheless, do not expect Jenny Sugarman’s side to be overawed, not after making history last spring by lifting the Adran Premier League title for the first time following a tremendous two-way tussle with holders Cardiff City.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 21 July 2026
The effects of this tournament will still be studied and analyzed long after Rodri lifted the trophy and Spain danced on Sunday.

— Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

Definition of lift

Verb

The researchers are working on several aspects of the diving suit technology, including improving durability, adapting the suit for other cockroach and insect species, and integrating additional sensors to enhance functionality.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 July 2026
Visitors can enhance their experience by staying overnight in one of four bed-and-breakfast-style suites at Falcon Manor, located on the mansion’s grounds.

— Korrin Bishop, Southern Living, 18 July 2026

Definition of enhance

Verb

That’s after pragmatists inside Iran privately admitted that the initial naval blockade had crushed the economy, with the blockade’s resumption reportedly deepening a rift between pragmatists and hard-liners who want to fight more aggressively.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 18 July 2026
As May’s troubles deepened last fall and winter, Elyse prepared for the day her daughter would turn 18.

— Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 18 July 2026

Definition of deepen

Verb

Having one copy of the APOE4 variant may double or triple the chance of developing Alzheimer’s, while having two copies may raise risk by tenfold or more.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
The Digital Realty proposal is the first project vying to get an exemption from Atlanta’s ban, raising questions about balancing urban land use and digital infrastructure.

— Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of raise

Verb

The optimistic interpretation is that Nolan’s visibility among directors has never been higher, and that his leadership role only strengthens his relationship with the very voters who determine the DGA winner.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 July 2026
Los Alamos architect Galen Shipman said engineers concentrated on improving memory bandwidth for each CPU core while strengthening support for irregular computing workloads.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026

Definition of strengthen

Verb

The Christian Science Monitor was founded in 1908 to lift the standard of journalism and uplift humanity.

— Howard LaFranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026
In another corner stood a plastic Yoshino cherry tree—the variety that lines the Tidal Basin—which people were encouraged to festoon with uplifting messages written on what looked like price tags.

— Andrew Trunsky, New Yorker, 11 July 2026

Definition of uplift

Browse Nearby Words

height

heighten

heightened

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“Heighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heighten. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of heighten

verb

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