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
Undermining it can silence voices, suppress creativity and heighten risk exposure, especially in cybersecurity and compliance-sensitive environments where early detection and reporting are critical to resilience and trust.
—
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
The impact of this powerful novel is heightened by Golden Voice narrator Nicholas Boulton’s keen understanding of its author’s purposes.
—Audiofile Magazine
june 27, Literary Hub, 27 June 2025
Lost for nearly 50 years and never fully restored, its fragmented reels and sudden leaps only heighten the silent era’s disorienting psychosis.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 27 June 2025
With charismatic guest players who recur across multiple videos and a commitment to heightening every sketch into absurd and unpredictable territory, Hotel Art Thief has built a distinct universe governed by its own nonsensical logic.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for heighten
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
The impact of this powerful novel is heightened by Golden Voice narrator Nicholas Boulton’s keen understanding of its author’s purposes.
—Audiofile Magazine
june 27, Literary Hub, 27 June 2025
Lost for nearly 50 years and never fully restored, its fragmented reels and sudden leaps only heighten the silent era’s disorienting psychosis.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 27 June 2025
With charismatic guest players who recur across multiple videos and a commitment to heightening every sketch into absurd and unpredictable territory, Hotel Art Thief has built a distinct universe governed by its own nonsensical logic.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 26 June 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 6 Jul. 2025.
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