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

The designation indicates heightened volcanic activity and the potential for an eruption, or an eruption underway with limited hazards to aviation. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Hundreds of flights have been canceled as airlines suspend service and European aviation officials warn of heightened risks from missiles, drones and air-defense activity. — Sally Abou Aljoud, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Expectations around workload and external factors, including international conflicts and crises, are contributing to these heightened anxieties. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Introduced in 2017, the first joint charter came amid heightened concern about size-zero models. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026

The recent run-up in rates also reflects heightened bond market volatility as surging oil prices due to the war fuel inflation worries. — Alex Veiga, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

Although the executive order was sparked by Kirk's killing, numerous law enforcement officials have told CBS News that there is a heightened threat environment more generally. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Such heightened security risks are forcing shipowners to offer elevated risk premiums to retain crew members. — CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026

The president said their conversation was expected to touch on the heightened scrutiny of Russia's response after some Russian media and public figures reported a death potentially connected to the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Verb

Russia also faces growing costs at home from Ukraine’s long-range strikes, which have disrupted energy and commercial infrastructure and heightened public anxiety over a prolonged war. — Eric Ciaramella, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026

Attacks in the Black Sea have also heightened fears about global food security, as Ukraine is one of the world’s largest exports of grain. — Svitlana Vlasova, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Despite Bedard’s injury, the expectations for the 2026-27 Hawks were heightened. — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026

Though they couldn’t be seen, high pump white calfskin heels heightened Mulligan’s look, and the actress also brought along a pair of triomphe mini sunglasses in acetate. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026

The emotional landscape is heightened by birdcalls, splashing waves, and trees thrashing in the wind. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

North Korea on Monday fired multiple ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters, South Korea's military said, adding to a recent streak of weapons demonstrations that has heightened tensions during a prolonged freeze in diplomacy. — CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

There is no indication the charity intends to share its classrooms’ recordings with anybody else, but fears about the potential misuse of surveillance technology are heightened in Gaza after three years of war. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

But just as memorable as Drew Barrymore’s gut-wrenching opening scene was Marco Beltrami’s chilling score, one that heightened the suspense and terror at every turn. — Scott Shilstone, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026