Definition of heighten
heightened
;heightening
play \ˈhīt-niŋ, ˈhī-tən-iŋ\transitive verb
1a : to increase the amount or degree of : augmentb : to make brighter or more intense : deepenc : to bring out more strongly : point upd : to make more acute : sharpen
2a : to raise high or higher : elevateb : to raise above the ordinary or trite
3 obsolete : elate
intransitive verb
2a : to become great or greater in amount, degree, or extentb : to become brighter or more intense
From the M-W Editors
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.
1523
First Known Use of heighten
1523
HEIGHTEN Defined for English Language Learners
heighten
playDefinition of heighten for English Language Learners
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: to increase the amount, degree, or extent of (something)
HEIGHTEN Defined for Kids
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See words that rhyme with heighten Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for heighten Spanish Central: Translation of heighten Nglish: Translation of heighten for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of heighten for Arabic speakers
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