heighten

verb

height·​en ˈhī-tᵊn 

heightened; heightening ˈhī-tᵊn-iŋ 

ˈhīt-niŋ

transitive verb

1

a

: to increase the amount or degree of : augment

heighten interest in the book

heighten tensions in the region

b

: to make brighter or more intense : deepen

… slowly rubbing the gold piece … as if to heighten its lustre …

—Herman Melville

c

: to bring out more strongly : point up

… uses the camera to punctuate and heighten the story.

—Stacey Bell

d

: to make more acute : sharpen

heighten the contrast on a monitor

2

a

: to raise high or higher : elevate

b

: to raise above the ordinary or trite

heightened prose

3

obsolete : elate

intransitive verb

1

archaic : grow, rise

2

a

: to become great or greater in amount, degree, or extent

b

: to become brighter or more intense

Synonyms of heighten

• intensify
• enhance
• deepen
• strengthen

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 plan is for vertical series that have heightened genre concepts and richer world building, while sticking to the snappy, emotionally intense and hook-led style of many current microdramas. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026

The suits weren’t cut to heighten a man’s physique but rather to comfortably camouflage it. — Robin Givhan, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026

The remarks drew activist groups to rally outside WNBA games, heightening tensions inside arenas, and became grist for MAGA influencers such as competitive swimmer turned political activist Riley Gaines. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

At this moment, the kids from the childcare program are released into the sanctuary, their excitement at seeing their parents and hearing the shofar only heightened by whatever has made all of their mouths blue. — Risa Polansky Shiman, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for heighten

• brighten
• chitin
• frighten
• lighten
• phaeton
• tighten
• titan
• triton
• whiten
• enlighten
• exciton
• periphyton

Kids Definition

heighten

verb

height·​en ˈhīt-ᵊn 

heightened; heightening ˈhīt-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

1

: to make or become brighter or greater

heightened the citizens' awareness

2

: to raise high or higher : elevate