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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of heighten
With the moon in your sign, emotions are heightened, and external pressures feel extra loud.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Now, however, the counterterrorism director’s role is coming back to light as hostilities roil the Middle East and heighten the risk of attacks in the United States or against American interests or allies overseas.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 21 Apr. 2026
The monochrome treatment emphasizes silhouette, proportion and shadow, allowing form and texture to take precedence while heightening the sensory experience.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026
Market conditions changed in March, sparked by a series of uneven economic reports and heightened geopolitical tensions and overseas conflicts.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heighten
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Now, however, the counterterrorism director’s role is coming back to light as hostilities roil the Middle East and heighten the risk of attacks in the United States or against American interests or allies overseas.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 21 Apr. 2026
The monochrome treatment emphasizes silhouette, proportion and shadow, allowing form and texture to take precedence while heightening the sensory experience.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026
Market conditions changed in March, sparked by a series of uneven economic reports and heightened geopolitical tensions and overseas conflicts.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heighten
Verb
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The shooting has also intensified calls by conservatives to fully fund DHS through a single bill — blaming Democrats for the shutdown and arguing that splitting apart ICE and Border Patrol funding will only give the minority party leverage.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
28 Apr. 2026
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Instead, the slight thaw suggests a more modest agenda that the countries should now pursue, one that acknowledges that tensions between them over fundamental issues — trade, technology, global status — are more likely to intensify than abate.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Late rally lifts Faith Christian past FWC Grapevine Faith Christian rallied to score 5 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning then held off Fort Worth Christian 10-9 in a TAPPS Division II District 1 contest on Monday at Faith Christian School.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Apr. 2026
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After a historic run that lifted the stock by more than 25-fold from 2022 through the end of 2025, Palantir shares are down 18% so far this year.—
Samantha Subin,Seema Mody,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The series’ earnestly naïve sound design (horses neighing, cars revving) only enhanced my appreciation of Joudrey’s sophisticated storytelling.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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Set the scene Where once hotels were conceived and designed to enhance a sense of escape, Lombok Lodge Villas’ architecture (a collaboration between architect Vittorio Sioni and the owners) is about recalibrating and reawakening the senses.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the evenings, Sankofa hosts film screenings and book talks to elevate the work of Black filmmakers and authors.—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
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Just coming in, being able to get a fresh start, being able to get around some great people and just being able to elevate at the end of the day.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His work deepened and developed under the responsiveness of the academy and a larger and not-yet-balkanized reading public.—
Nick Laird,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
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With worker shortages deepening across the region, governments are running out of time.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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SpaceX, the dominant player in the burgeoning commercial space market, is running behind on its huge lunar lander and is more distracted than ever with an initial sale of shares to the public that could raise as much as $75 billion.—
Thomas Black,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
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But that letter, and the date it was sent, raised questions about recent court filings by the city attorney’s office in a case filed by the First Amendment Coalition seeking the release of all video footage and other records related to the police use of force against Evans.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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October 23 – November 21 An honest shift today strengthens what truly matters.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
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Scorpio October 23 – November 21 An honest shift today strengthens what truly matters.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Her work focuses on protecting the ocean’s fragile ecosystem and uplifting the female voice.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
22 Apr. 2026
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The cafe opened in 2025 with barbari bread and lavash wrap sandwiches, tahini-date shakes and chai lattes, plus a full slate of events aimed at uplifting the local Persian community.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heighten. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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