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
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Recent Examples of heightened
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
Austin expedites permitting for builders providing heightened workplace protections.
—Terri Gerstein, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026
Federal immigration agents have been reported across greater Minnesota as heightened enforcement activities continue in the Twin Cities.
—Ingrid Harbo, Twin Cities, 13 Jan. 2026
The autonomous vehicle industry faced heightened scrutiny after a pedestrian was seriously injured in October 2023 by a Cruise vehicle operated by General Motors.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 12 Jan. 2026
The tariffs are expected to trigger a period of heightened market volatility, with global rebalancing of trade routes creating oversupply in alternative markets and downward pressure on prices for producers worldwide.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
While no physical altercations are visible in the video, the shouting underscored heightened tensions between the causes.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 11 Jan. 2026
This week’s incident was the spark many feared amid a growing powder keg of heightened activity by immigration authorities in Minneapolis and nationwide.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
Stephen Maturen / Getty Images file Ginya said the heightened enforcement has reshaped daily life.
—Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026
Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
Exercise heightened caution during this period.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Urgency is heightened after the franchise tasted success and quickly lost it again.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
European leaders’ concerns were heightened following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
—Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, look about you, because your ability to appreciate your daily surroundings is heightened.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
The only thing that is new is the obsession with anti-aging and heightened beauty standards.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
Runners could chart the best course, a challenge heightened by the fact that the Boston Red Sox were playing at home that night.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
Having that rejection at the beginning of the movie sets the tone for my character where everything is just heightened.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
The high prevalence of addiction — and the department’s struggle to keep prescribed and illicit drug use under control — has placed heightened strain not only on officers and facility staff but also on wider social safety net in surrounding communities.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
Austin expedites permitting for builders providing heightened workplace protections.
—Terri Gerstein, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026
Federal immigration agents have been reported across greater Minnesota as heightened enforcement activities continue in the Twin Cities.
—Ingrid Harbo, Twin Cities, 13 Jan. 2026
The autonomous vehicle industry faced heightened scrutiny after a pedestrian was seriously injured in October 2023 by a Cruise vehicle operated by General Motors.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 12 Jan. 2026
The tariffs are expected to trigger a period of heightened market volatility, with global rebalancing of trade routes creating oversupply in alternative markets and downward pressure on prices for producers worldwide.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
While no physical altercations are visible in the video, the shouting underscored heightened tensions between the causes.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 11 Jan. 2026
This week’s incident was the spark many feared amid a growing powder keg of heightened activity by immigration authorities in Minneapolis and nationwide.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
Stephen Maturen / Getty Images file Ginya said the heightened enforcement has reshaped daily life.
—Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
Emmer has been a staunch opponent of Walz for some time, whose antagonism for the governor heightened once Walz became the vice presidential running mate to former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
Exercise heightened caution during this period.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Urgency is heightened after the franchise tasted success and quickly lost it again.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
European leaders’ concerns were heightened following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
—Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, look about you, because your ability to appreciate your daily surroundings is heightened.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
The only thing that is new is the obsession with anti-aging and heightened beauty standards.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
Runners could chart the best course, a challenge heightened by the fact that the Boston Red Sox were playing at home that night.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
Having that rejection at the beginning of the movie sets the tone for my character where everything is just heightened.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightened
Adjective
-
However, there was no increased risk of liver problems, which is often a concern with statin use.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
30 Dec. 2025
-
In 1905 and growing in parishioners, the existing church created the Holly street location to accommodate its increased popularity.—
Stuart Dyos,
Nashville Tennessean,
14 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Pockets of protests erupting across Iran over the past week have intensified pressure on a dysfunctional government struggling to manage a spiraling economic crisis.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The Justice Department has intensified efforts to investigate fraud in the state after a social media video shared by YouTuber Nick Shirley went viral right before New Year's Day.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Her adrenal gland would begin to work overtime and she’d be lifted up, energized, hunted, and desperate to outwit her attacker and survive.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
-
He was then placed in a stretcher and lifted up by the rescue chopper.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The onset of elevated inflation alongside sluggish hiring in recent months had put the Fed in a difficult position, even before the DOJ opened a probe into Powell.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Despite incredible progress to reduce the neural tube defects, Hispanic and Latino communities still have an elevated risk of developing these defects.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
January 12,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
November payrolls were revised down by 8,000 jobs, while October’s loss deepened to 173,000 from 105,000.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The contrast between these settings reshaped his worldview and deepened his interest in how international education influences personal development and an individual’s access to opportunity.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Republicans, who hold a super-minority in the Legislature and have long raised concerns about taxes and regulations overburdening California businesses, will likely oppose any tax bills.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Funds raised during the 2025 Grammy Awards telecast, MusiCares’ Persons of the Year event and additional fundraising efforts were used to help deal with housing instability, interrupted income, physical health complications and ongoing trauma.—
David Wilson,
Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Never use your high-beam lights.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The team had started the season on a losing streak, and tensions were high.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The team enhanced the design using small-molecule amidinium ligands.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
-
These features are further enhanced by technology that adapts to individual preferences, such as smart shower controls and lighting systems tailored to each user.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightened. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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