Synonyms of heightened

heightened 1 of 2

adjective

as in increased

being at a higher level than average

there were heightened levels of lead in the drinking water

Synonyms & Similar Words

• increased
• elevated
• high
• raised
• up
• escalated
• extreme
• maximum
• jacked (up)
• peaked
• utmost
• inflated
• over
• maximized
• sky-high
• full
• overloaded
• overflowing
• oversize
• overfilled
• overlarge
• overfull

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• low
• down
• decreased
• dropped
• under
• depressed
• receded
• knockdown

heightened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of heighten

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

• intensified
• deepened
• enhanced
• strengthened
• consolidated
• reinforced
• accentuated
• amplified
• boosted
• sharpened
• broadened
• stepped up
• magnified
• expanded
• redoubled
• augmented
• emphasized
• extended
• beefed (up)
• accelerated
• lengthened
• enforced
• amped (up)
• supplemented
• enlarged
• pointed (up)
• quickened
• maximized
• exacerbated
• stressed
• hastened
• enlivened
• aggravated
• restrengthened
• jazzed (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduced
• decreased
• diminished
• abated
• lessened
• weakened
• moderated
• subdued
• subsided
• receded
• waned
• dwindled
• tapered (off)
• alleviated
• eased
• lightened
• toned (down)
• let up (on)

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

• lifted
• elevated
• raised
• uplifted
• boosted
• hoisted
• upheld
• hiked
• upped
• heaved
• took up
• picked up
• mounted
• rose
• perked (up)
• jacked (up)
• upraised
• craned
• ascended
• hefted
• reared
• upended

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lowered
• dropped
• fell
• slipped
• pushed
• descended
• bore
• pressed
• plunged
• depressed
• dipped
• pitched
• sank
• submerged

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of heightened

Adjective

With that newfound success came heightened tabloid scrutiny, with everything from Panettiere’s looks and love life in the crosshairs. — Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026

Not only do the Jets face heightened scrutiny following their playoff miss, but Scott Arniel will also be under heavy scrutiny for the first time in his tenure as head coach. — Murat Ates, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Ports with similar environmental conditions, including locations in India, Sri Lanka and Singapore, face heightened risks. — Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

South Africa spent nearly three years on the list before it was officially removed in October, suffering under heightened global scrutiny, transaction costs, and elevated sovereign risk perception across international markets. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 17 Aug. 2026

The tech company operates 120,000 cameras in every state but Alaska and has been the subject of heightened controversy as stories of inaccuracy and misuse proliferated in recent months. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 16 Aug. 2026

The play of the offensive line also created a heightened awareness of the battle to be quarterback Justin Herbert’s backup. — Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2026

Despite wanting to sometimes speak out and clarify these details for fans, the first animator was afraid to get too involved given the heightened scrutiny and attention surrounding the public discourse. — Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026

An Interview with Elisa Gabbert Rachel Gerry The author of Any Person Is the Only Self on authorial trust, the occult of reading, and circles of heightened attention. — Hazlitt Editors, hazlitt.net, 13 Aug. 2026

Verb

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

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

The two crashes, among others that followed in the months after, heightened attention to aviation safety. — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026

The tension was heightened by a controversial USC debate selection process that would have resulted in no candidates of color taking the stage. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

But those protections may not always apply to local officers, which has heightened their concerns over liability and the need for insurance. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Deadly attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Oman heightened concerns over risks to global shipping routes and sent global oil prices higher to around $90 per barrel on Wednesday. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026

The risks are heightened for women of color, according to the most recent maternal mortality data from the March of Dimes and the CDC. — Kristin Wright, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026

Growing tensions with Washington have heightened Beijing’s anxieties. — Caitlin Welsh, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026