as in increased
being at a higher level than average
there were heightened levels of lead in the drinking water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in intensified
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lifted
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
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Recent Examples of heightened
Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 3 Apr. 2026
Security experts add that the delay between identifying a threat and receiving funding can leave institutions without the protections recommended by security professionals during periods of heightened risk.
—Ariella Noveck, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
These items, combined with heightened geopolitical tensions and overseas conflicts, then resulted in the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates paused in its mid-month meeting.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
In the nostalgic new spot, Barber leans all the way into the heightened world of ‘90s sitcom comedy, blending exaggerated reactions, fourth-wall breaks and playful absurdity all while wearing the brand’s signature hands-free sneakers.
—Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Notably, the new store is in Chengdu, rather than Shanghai, Beijing, or Guangzhou, offering an early signal of how the brand is flexing its China strategy at a time of heightened pressure on the luxury sector.
—Yiling Pan, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2026
However, because Iraq lacks its own tanker fleet and depends on chartered vessels, shipments ultimately hinge on whether tanker owners are willing to accept the heightened risks of making the journey.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
All three nonprofit leaders said the heightened enforcement created a climate of fear for all immigrants.
—Igor Studenkov, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
The office of the AG comes with a heightened level of subpoena power.
—J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 31 Mar. 2026
CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
The change — included in contract revisions the City Commission approved in February — is the latest example of the city bending on its requirements to move the project forward as the anticipation around the stadium heightened.
—Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
Americans immediately saw an increase in prices at the pump; businesses watched transportation costs skip higher; and fears have heightened that the war’s fallout could quickly metastasize throughout the economy.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
The inevitable result of this isolation is tension, frustration, and despair, heightened by the specter of the murders of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi at the hands of COs.
—Steve Zeidman, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
Atmospheric data collected by meteorologists has heightened their concern that a squall line of storms moving east across the state have the potential of spawning tornadoes inside the line.
—Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 1 Apr. 2026
Tensions heightened as British settlers began fencing off land and hunting native wildlife, creating food shortages for the Bindjareb.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
Mental health concerns have only heightened as AI chatbots that respond to questions and generate content become more popular.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
The president’s focus on his affordability agenda in an election year has heightened the profile of the effort.
—Daniel Payne, STAT, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Sites across Paris have been subject to heightened security since the incident.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 3 Apr. 2026
Security experts add that the delay between identifying a threat and receiving funding can leave institutions without the protections recommended by security professionals during periods of heightened risk.
—Ariella Noveck, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
These items, combined with heightened geopolitical tensions and overseas conflicts, then resulted in the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates paused in its mid-month meeting.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
In the nostalgic new spot, Barber leans all the way into the heightened world of ‘90s sitcom comedy, blending exaggerated reactions, fourth-wall breaks and playful absurdity all while wearing the brand’s signature hands-free sneakers.
—Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Notably, the new store is in Chengdu, rather than Shanghai, Beijing, or Guangzhou, offering an early signal of how the brand is flexing its China strategy at a time of heightened pressure on the luxury sector.
—Yiling Pan, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2026
However, because Iraq lacks its own tanker fleet and depends on chartered vessels, shipments ultimately hinge on whether tanker owners are willing to accept the heightened risks of making the journey.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
All three nonprofit leaders said the heightened enforcement created a climate of fear for all immigrants.
—Igor Studenkov, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
The office of the AG comes with a heightened level of subpoena power.
—J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
The incident comes after a string of similar nighttime attacks in Belgium, Britain and the Netherlands that have heightened concerns over antisemitism in the wake of the war in the Middle East.
—CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
The change — included in contract revisions the City Commission approved in February — is the latest example of the city bending on its requirements to move the project forward as the anticipation around the stadium heightened.
—Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
Americans immediately saw an increase in prices at the pump; businesses watched transportation costs skip higher; and fears have heightened that the war’s fallout could quickly metastasize throughout the economy.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
The inevitable result of this isolation is tension, frustration, and despair, heightened by the specter of the murders of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi at the hands of COs.
—Steve Zeidman, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
Atmospheric data collected by meteorologists has heightened their concern that a squall line of storms moving east across the state have the potential of spawning tornadoes inside the line.
—Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 1 Apr. 2026
Tensions heightened as British settlers began fencing off land and hunting native wildlife, creating food shortages for the Bindjareb.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
Mental health concerns have only heightened as AI chatbots that respond to questions and generate content become more popular.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
The president’s focus on his affordability agenda in an election year has heightened the profile of the effort.
—Daniel Payne, STAT, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightened
Adjective
-
Taken together, these trends offer a straightforward explanation for increased use.—
Diego Schaps,
STAT,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Curtis Reigh, one of nine Republicans running for county commissioner, also cited the lack of public comment at board meetings as a reason for increased interest among candidates, including younger contenders.—
Rhiannon Evans,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Their experience is raw material, and, for crew members, the passion and memories attached to this raw material are intensified by relations of class and power.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The federal government intensified efforts to expand family detention indefinitely by motioning to terminate a cornerstone policy ensuring the protection of immigrant children in federal custody.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Teammates encouraged her and one even lifted her chin, but the damage was done.—
David Brandt,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Minutes later, Malenstyn got to the front and lifted home a rebound.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
An elevated rail line passes through to carry coal to the rest of the country.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But no Attorney General in history has caused more damage to the department itself—damage that promises to long outlast Bondi’s tenure, and to be deepened, not repaired, by whoever is chosen to succeed her.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Shadows deepened from brown and green and slate orange to a full, final black.—
Kate Crane,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Stephen Curry swished a 3-pointer on his second shot from deep and raised his arms in delight when the ball went through.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
My father had lived an extraordinary life as a young Black man born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, during the 1940s.—
Shayla Martin,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
More importantly, Slaughter expanded her game, operating more in the post, rebounding at a higher level and continuing to handle the ball effectively.—
Aaron Segal,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Those who leave earlier — by May 31 — are eligible for the highest financial incentive.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At the Smart Works capsule collection launch in 2019, Meghan enhanced the look with gold accessories and brown heels.—
Katherine J Igoe,
InStyle,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Microsoft, whose stock sunk 23% in the first quarter, has ramped up spending on data centers for cloud customers such as OpenAI, and investors are seeking signs that products enhanced with AI models will boost revenue and profitability.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightened. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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