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
Auroral activity has been heightened since last year, when the sun reached the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, which is a catalyst for coronal mass ejections and solar flares that contribute to stronger auroral activity.
—
Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
The Trump administration has also heightened deportation efforts — but Giordano said what city and department officials have been saying for months: Phoenix police do not enforce immigration laws and do not work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
—Elena Santa Cruz, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2025
While Iran frames its warnings as a measure to deter future attacks, the U.S. and its allies view Iran's intensifying rhetoric as likely to heighten regional tensions.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
Correa himself has been brilliant, raising his OPS by 36 points in just 44 at-bats while heightening the attention paid to small details.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heighten
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Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
The Trump administration has also heightened deportation efforts — but Giordano said what city and department officials have been saying for months: Phoenix police do not enforce immigration laws and do not work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
—Elena Santa Cruz, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2025
While Iran frames its warnings as a measure to deter future attacks, the U.S. and its allies view Iran's intensifying rhetoric as likely to heighten regional tensions.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
Correa himself has been brilliant, raising his OPS by 36 points in just 44 at-bats while heightening the attention paid to small details.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 13 Aug. 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 22 Aug. 2025.
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