heighten

verb

ˈhī-tᵊn How to pronounce heighten (audio)
Definition of heightennext
1
as in to intensify
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to lift
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of heighten That heightens the risk that Facebook and Instagram users will be targeted in deceptive deepfakes, NBC News reported. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026 An aspect between love planet Venus and numinous Neptune heightens our intuition, compassionand ability to read between the lines. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026 Those risks are heightened in the metropolitan area, given state laws in Kansas and Missouri surrounding local agencies’ abilities to assist with immigration enforcement. — Sofi Zeman july 8, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026 Michigan’s 1835 bid for statehood heightened IRL tensions between Toledo residents—who largely identified as Ohioans—and Michiganders, who intended to claim the territory. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for heighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heighten
  1. intensify
  2. lift
  3. enhance
  4. elevate
  5. deepen
  6. raise
  7. strengthen
  8. uplift
Verb
  • Monsoon season and an intensifying El Niño are also underway and could bring more chances for rain to the region.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • Uganda has been a source of stability in a volatile region, but intensifying authoritarianism warrants a review of the United States’ relationship with one of its most important security and counterterrorism partners in East Africa.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 13 July 2026
Definition of intensify
Verb
  • Messi and Argentina lifted the World Cup trophy, the first in Messi’s storied career, but the Frenchman went home with the Golden Boot.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
  • The elevator has to be repaired and reinspected in order for the cease-use order to be lifted.
    — Alice Gainer, CBS News, 13 July 2026
Definition of lift
Verb
  • The researchers are working on several aspects of the diving suit technology, including improving durability, adapting the suit for other cockroach and insect species, and integrating additional sensors to enhance functionality.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 July 2026
  • Visitors can enhance their experience by staying overnight in one of four bed-and-breakfast-style suites at Falcon Manor, located on the mansion’s grounds.
    — Korrin Bishop, Southern Living, 18 July 2026
Definition of enhance
Verb
  • His stature as the greatest ever keeps rising, elevating, growing.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • There’s just a better version lurking inside, one that could’ve elevated the action-chase genre instead of merely loitering there.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
Definition of elevate
Verb
  • That’s after pragmatists inside Iran privately admitted that the initial naval blockade had crushed the economy, with the blockade’s resumption reportedly deepening a rift between pragmatists and hard-liners who want to fight more aggressively.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 18 July 2026
  • As May’s troubles deepened last fall and winter, Elyse prepared for the day her daughter would turn 18.
    — Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 18 July 2026
Definition of deepen
Verb
  • Having one copy of the APOE4 variant may double or triple the chance of developing Alzheimer’s, while having two copies may raise risk by tenfold or more.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • The Digital Realty proposal is the first project vying to get an exemption from Atlanta’s ban, raising questions about balancing urban land use and digital infrastructure.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of raise
Verb
  • The optimistic interpretation is that Nolan’s visibility among directors has never been higher, and that his leadership role only strengthens his relationship with the very voters who determine the DGA winner.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Los Alamos architect Galen Shipman said engineers concentrated on improving memory bandwidth for each CPU core while strengthening support for irregular computing workloads.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026
Definition of strengthen
Verb
  • In another corner stood a plastic Yoshino cherry tree—the variety that lines the Tidal Basin—which people were encouraged to festoon with uplifting messages written on what looked like price tags.
    — Andrew Trunsky, New Yorker, 11 July 2026
  • The Christian Science Monitor was founded in 1908 to lift the standard of journalism and uplift humanity.
    — Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 10 July 2026
Definition of uplift

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height
heighten
heightened
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Cite this Entry

“Heighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heighten. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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