heightened; heightening
ˈhī-tᵊn-iŋ 
ˈhīt-niŋ
1
2
a
: to raise high or higher : elevate
b
: to raise above the ordinary or trite
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
These worries were heightened when, at the end of June, Richard Goodman, one of the senior civil servants in the DfT, wrote to Collier to reinforce Alexander's message.
—
Ian King, CNBC, 9 July 2025
The tension between the state and Trump heightened at the end of May, before the state's track and field championship, which saw a trans athlete take first place in two girls' events.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025
Still, this latest phase in the White House’s trade war heightens the threat of potentially more severe tariffs that’s been hanging over the global economy.
—Alex Veiga, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
This latest phase in the trade war heightens the threat of potentially more severe tariffs that’s been hanging over the global economy.
—Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for heighten
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Ian King, CNBC, 9 July 2025
The tension between the state and Trump heightened at the end of May, before the state's track and field championship, which saw a trans athlete take first place in two girls' events.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025
Still, this latest phase in the White House’s trade war heightens the threat of potentially more severe tariffs that’s been hanging over the global economy.
—Alex Veiga, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
This latest phase in the trade war heightens the threat of potentially more severe tariffs that’s been hanging over the global economy.
—Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for heighten
Cite this Entry
“Heighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heighten. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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