1
as in intensifies
to make markedly greater in measure or degree
several controversial measures have heightened parental awareness of the impact of school policy decisions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lifts
to move from a lower to a higher place or position
heightened the hem on her skirt just a couple of inches
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of heightens
This uncertainty heightens individual anxiety and that in turn manifests in a diminished personal sense of well being.
—
Dr. Howard A. Selinger, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
Sometimes these shifts are small, noticeable only to the character experiencing them, as when an impending hurricane heightens the narrator’s receptivity to the minor mysteries of humble objects.
—Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
And casting Sarah Michelle in that part heightens all of that.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
The trick, and what makes the show special, is that the absurdity somehow heightens the very real, very consequential reporting at its core.
—Josh Tyrangiel, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2026
This approach echoes the idea of compression and release in architecture, where a smaller or more intimate space heightens the experience of moving into a larger room.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 15 Mar. 2026
Set in London and Spain, the story unfolds across six episodes — Wright directed the first three — and cleverly heightens the tensions sometimes experienced in in-law relationships.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
Inflation The war only heightens the importance of the upcoming inflation data.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
Blackhurst gives it all a DIY feel and that further heightens the homespun, backwoods madness that ensues.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Dr. Howard A. Selinger, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
Sometimes these shifts are small, noticeable only to the character experiencing them, as when an impending hurricane heightens the narrator’s receptivity to the minor mysteries of humble objects.
—Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
And casting Sarah Michelle in that part heightens all of that.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
The trick, and what makes the show special, is that the absurdity somehow heightens the very real, very consequential reporting at its core.
—Josh Tyrangiel, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2026
This approach echoes the idea of compression and release in architecture, where a smaller or more intimate space heightens the experience of moving into a larger room.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 15 Mar. 2026
Set in London and Spain, the story unfolds across six episodes — Wright directed the first three — and cleverly heightens the tensions sometimes experienced in in-law relationships.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
Inflation The war only heightens the importance of the upcoming inflation data.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
Blackhurst gives it all a DIY feel and that further heightens the homespun, backwoods madness that ensues.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightens
Verb
-
Venus and Pluto’s clash intensifies a one-sided attraction.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Researchers have long recognized that climate change intensifies heat waves.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the sweet video, Steinfeld lifts her black sweatshirt to reveal her baby bump, which her husband then kisses and cradles; the two frolic in the snow looking so in love.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
-
About halfway through the video, Simpson wins the fight, lifts up his opponent and collects his money.—
Daniela Avila,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And here is a helpful tip — a teaspoon of honey enhances the flavors splendidly.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
7 Apr. 2026
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The team also highlighted that the technology enhances robotic hands’ capabilities in delicate manipulation tasks and paving the way for further advancements in humanoid dexterous hand development.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That, in turn, elevates the risk of facing collection issues, but not every borrower is equally vulnerable.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Barroom darts may be familiar territory, but Flight Club Denver elevates the pastime into a sleek, high-tech experience set in a space that feels like a British pub meets a Victorian fairground.—
Brittany Anas,
Denver Post,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For the Fed, the report deepens the potential stagflation bind.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Zelenskyy’s remarks come as Ukraine deepens its role in the region, sharing intelligence and defense expertise with Middle Eastern partners facing Iranian missile and drone strikes.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Their union, which raises money for scholarship programs, and sick and wounded police officers, has cut ties with their outside fundraising vendor TCI America.—
Juli McDonald,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Unions and district remain apart on salary increases, with teachers seeking 17% raises and Local 99 workers — some of the lowest-paid — also wanting stability.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Medical organizations like the American Dental Association criticized the move in certain states to ban the mineral, which helps prevent cavities and strengthens teeth.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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The cloud ahead of price is bullish (span A above span B) and often thickens as the trend strengthens.—
Karl Montevirgen,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Curiosity and discipline pair up as the exuberant Sun uplifts accountable Saturn in your 9th House of Observation, asking for purposeful exploration today.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
-
As clever Mercury uplifts Mars in your 10th House of Professionality, the universe clears space for you to pitch ideas, request resources, or lead a project.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightens. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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