heighten

verb

height·​en ˈhī-tᵊn 

heightened; heightening ˈhī-tᵊn-iŋ 

ˈhīt-niŋ

transitive verb

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

c

: to bring out more strongly : point up

… uses the camera to punctuate and heighten the story.

—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

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

Synonyms of heighten

• intensify
• enhance
• deepen
• strengthen

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

An interesting month for the ‘baby designer’ crowd A new genome-editing tool used in early embryos has illuminated the role of a key gene overseeing the first stages of human development — and heightened the ongoing debate about whether such tools could or should ever be used to make a baby. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 26 June 2026

Astrologers often view the full moon as an ideal moment to focus on goals, release what no longer serves you and channel heightened energy into your dreams. — ABC News, 26 June 2026

Their concerns are heightened by the fact that the region is heading into peak fire season after four months with minimal precipitation. — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026

The announcements come as the rapid expansion of AI data centers heightens demand for computing power, exacerbating a chip shortage. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for heighten

• brighten
• chitin
• frighten
• lighten
• phaeton
• tighten
• titan
• triton
• whiten
• enlighten
• exciton
• periphyton

Kids Definition

heighten

verb

height·​en ˈhīt-ᵊn 

heightened; heightening ˈhīt-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

1

: to make or become brighter or greater

heightened the citizens' awareness

2

: to raise high or higher : elevate