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
Riley's killing in February 2024 heightened tensions in the national debate over immigration.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
At the same time, intensified federal immigration enforcement actions in Southern California have heightened tensions across school communities, prompting district leaders to reiterate policies aimed at protecting student access to campuses.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
While the Kleberg-Rylie closure was caused by building damage, not budget decisions, the loss of access has heightened concerns about service gaps in communities that rely heavily on library spaces for computer access, printing and after-school support, library board members said.
—Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
Their proprietary ChromaPop technology filters specific light wavelengths to heighten contrast and sharpen terrain definition, revealing the sometimes subtle shifts between shadow, ice, and powder.
—Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heighten
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CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
At the same time, intensified federal immigration enforcement actions in Southern California have heightened tensions across school communities, prompting district leaders to reiterate policies aimed at protecting student access to campuses.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
While the Kleberg-Rylie closure was caused by building damage, not budget decisions, the loss of access has heightened concerns about service gaps in communities that rely heavily on library spaces for computer access, printing and after-school support, library board members said.
—Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
Their proprietary ChromaPop technology filters specific light wavelengths to heighten contrast and sharpen terrain definition, revealing the sometimes subtle shifts between shadow, ice, and powder.
—Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 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 4 Mar. 2026.
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