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
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 1 May 2026
This stabbing follows a string of attacks targeting synagogues and other communal bui ldings that have left London’s Jewish community in a heightened state of anxiety.
—Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Vial said while some vessels have paid over $1 million dollars at auction, these figures reflect only temporary conditions driven by heightened demand.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 29 Apr. 2026
Mexico’s security posture is facing heightened scrutiny as the country prepares to co‑host the upcoming FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Canada, increasing pressure on the government to project stability and control.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
The attack comes amid heightened concern over antisemitic incidents across the United Kingdom.
—Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Perhaps it’s been like this for some time, the only difference being my heightened attention.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
The pageantry began Monday amid heightened security concerns and a growing rift over the Iran war.
—Michael Birnbaum, Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2026
The push to move forward has the support of both the White House and many in the press corps, even as organizers face the challenge of reassembling the event under heightened security concerns and a compressed timeline.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
And the rapid spread in recent years has heightened security concerns across the country, particularly in the capital, where sensitive military and political sites are concentrated.
—Todd Symons, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Playoffs are heightened, and everything’s emotional to begin with.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 1 May 2026
The war has also heightened danger in shipping oil and brought collateral damage to oil-industry infrastructure, among other factors.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Norepinephrine is tied closely to alertness and cognitive focus, which helps explain why participants in cold-exposure studies often report heightened mental clarity right after immersion.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
That pressure was only heightened when early images from the production sparked backlash online.
—Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
These health risks are heightened by weak systems for water, sanitation and healthcare.
—Kaveh Madani, The Conversation, 29 Apr. 2026
After the project stalled in 2014, Epstein heightened his communication with Gates and his deputies, seemingly trying to pressure the billionaire into supporting the fund and compensating him for funding Antonova’s schooling and housing.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
It may not be lost on CNN that Rivera was nodding to another period of heightened emotion TV, one presented by daytime hosts like Jenny Jones, Ricki Lake and Sally Jessy Raphael.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 1 May 2026
This stabbing follows a string of attacks targeting synagogues and other communal bui ldings that have left London’s Jewish community in a heightened state of anxiety.
—Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Vial said while some vessels have paid over $1 million dollars at auction, these figures reflect only temporary conditions driven by heightened demand.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 29 Apr. 2026
Mexico’s security posture is facing heightened scrutiny as the country prepares to co‑host the upcoming FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Canada, increasing pressure on the government to project stability and control.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
The attack comes amid heightened concern over antisemitic incidents across the United Kingdom.
—Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Perhaps it’s been like this for some time, the only difference being my heightened attention.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
The pageantry began Monday amid heightened security concerns and a growing rift over the Iran war.
—Michael Birnbaum, Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2026
The push to move forward has the support of both the White House and many in the press corps, even as organizers face the challenge of reassembling the event under heightened security concerns and a compressed timeline.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
Around Mira and her friends, my own insecurities were heightened.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
And the rapid spread in recent years has heightened security concerns across the country, particularly in the capital, where sensitive military and political sites are concentrated.
—Todd Symons, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Playoffs are heightened, and everything’s emotional to begin with.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 1 May 2026
The war has also heightened danger in shipping oil and brought collateral damage to oil-industry infrastructure, among other factors.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Norepinephrine is tied closely to alertness and cognitive focus, which helps explain why participants in cold-exposure studies often report heightened mental clarity right after immersion.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
That pressure was only heightened when early images from the production sparked backlash online.
—Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
These health risks are heightened by weak systems for water, sanitation and healthcare.
—Kaveh Madani, The Conversation, 29 Apr. 2026
After the project stalled in 2014, Epstein heightened his communication with Gates and his deputies, seemingly trying to pressure the billionaire into supporting the fund and compensating him for funding Antonova’s schooling and housing.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightened
Adjective
-
Beyond the frequent urination Wayans experienced, type 2 diabetes symptoms can include increased thirst and hunger, weight loss, frequent infections, tingling in the hands and feet, darkened patches on the skin and dry skin.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
-
In order to meet increased demand, DPS launched 14 of these Multi-Intensive Autism, or MIA, classrooms throughout the district this year, with plans to open nine more.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the ’90s, the blockbuster sales of two flea-and-tick medications, Frontline and Advantage, demonstrated untapped demand, and then intensified that demand by enabling new levels of indoor intimacy between dogs and people.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
-
Fear of breaking the law has intensified The reverberations of Florida’s six-week ban have been felt in doctors’ offices and emergency departments across the state.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
In the five-minute work, Pau employs snippets lifted from government newsreels, most notably footage of a swimming contest held at Victoria Harbor in the 1960s showing throngs of Hong Kong citizens launching themselves into the ocean and paddling enthusiastically.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
At one point, the 4-year-old lifted the blanket, exposing his bare stomach, and Berrios-Otero’s hand could allegedly be seen appearing to be below the child’s stomach area, an investigator wrote in the warrant affidavits.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 May 2026
-
Instead of bigger SUVs or higher trims — versions of a model with more features and elevated prices — many shoppers are sticking with simpler options like compact sedans, entry-level pickups or the most basic version on the dealer's lot.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
From there, the connection deepened quickly.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
-
Renewable energy The global oil crisis has only deepened the desire by many countries to transition to clean energy, which could be a boon for the sector.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Obama raised millions of dollars, produced a raft of advertisements, and took the unusual step of endorsing dozens of candidates for state legislative office.—
Peter Slevin,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Last June, Russian banks raised red flags on a potential debt crisis as high interest rates weighed on borrowers’ ability to pay off loans.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
Montgomery hit a solo shot in the fifth, helping the Sox to a season-high fourth consecutive victory in front of a sellout crowd of 43,638 at Petco Park.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
Senior Nick Testa had a team-high three goals and six assists to help lift the host Scots past Pine Crest 15-7 in a 1A regional final on Friday night.—
Alex Kushel,
Sun Sentinel,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The artworks are enhanced with portraits of the artists and brief statements about their art.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
1 May 2026
-
Bike activists in this city have, to our minds, successfully enhanced the lot of cyclists in Chicago and are fully entitled to keep pushing for more reasonable improvements.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightened. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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