heightened; heightening
ˈhīt-niŋ 
ˈhī-tᵊn-iŋ
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
Synonyms
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
The new bank notes are heightening the pressures on Japan’s small businesses.
—
John Yoon, New York Times, 7 June 2024
The glittering allure of Saint Laurent's designs were heightened by his aura as a public figure; he was noted for his entourage of cosmopolitan muses and friends, and his affinity for partying, decadence and debauchery.
—Cady Lang, TIME, 7 June 2024
And their fears may be warranted—some tools weren’t in a great position to be rolled out to users, and spread disinformation or harmful language which only heightened doubts of AI’s dependability.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 4 June 2024
Historic tensions had been heightened by the Balkans conflicts in the 1990s, and especially since 2008 when majority ethnic Albanians declared independence in the former Serbian province of Kosovo.
—Graham Dunbar and Llazar Semini, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for heighten 
John Yoon, New York Times, 7 June 2024
The glittering allure of Saint Laurent's designs were heightened by his aura as a public figure; he was noted for his entourage of cosmopolitan muses and friends, and his affinity for partying, decadence and debauchery.
—Cady Lang, TIME, 7 June 2024
And their fears may be warranted—some tools weren’t in a great position to be rolled out to users, and spread disinformation or harmful language which only heightened doubts of AI’s dependability.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 4 June 2024
Historic tensions had been heightened by the Balkans conflicts in the 1990s, and especially since 2008 when majority ethnic Albanians declared independence in the former Serbian province of Kosovo.
—Graham Dunbar and Llazar Semini, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for heighten
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heighten.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near heighten
Cite this Entry
“Heighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heighten. Accessed 13 Jun. 2024.
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