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

People use all caps to indicate heightened emotion and avoid the formality of proper punctuation, which now seems stilted, even stern. — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

Stock prices fell in response to the heightened tensions and rising oil prices. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 8 July 2026

These features are increasingly valuable in an era of heightened transparency and legal exposure. — Michael Gold Cfp, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

So instead of a clear path forward at a time of heightened uncertainty, Xbox has a vague and seemingly unattainable goal in front of it. — Andrew Webster, The Verge, 7 July 2026

The celebrity wedding will also reportedly feature heightened security around Madison Square Garden, performances by Stevie Nicks and Tim McGraw, and a red carpet outside the arena. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026

While a sports arena is a wildly different wedding venue than an oceanside wedding in Rhode Island, Madison Square Garden would provide a heightened level of security for such a high-profile wedding. — Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 2 July 2026

The heightened uncertainty is also affecting DHL Express’s workforce. — Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 1 July 2026

Citing studies indicating heightened risk for anxiety and depression tied to social media use, especially for youth, Murthy also called for tobacco-style health warnings on social media platforms. — Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 1 July 2026

Verb

Those risks are heightened in the metropolitan area, given state laws in Kansas and Missouri surrounding local agencies’ abilities to assist with immigration enforcement. — Sofi Zeman july 8, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026

Security around the prison has been heightened with additional army troops and armed tanks also being deployed. — ABC News, 7 July 2026

Michigan’s 1835 bid for statehood heightened IRL tensions between Toledo residents—who largely identified as Ohioans—and Michiganders, who intended to claim the territory. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026

The end of Temporary Protected Status — a program intended to protect people in the event of a natural disaster — heightened concerns about deportation to a country that is reeling after twin earthquakes from June 24. — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Political tensions and heightened tariffs could have tanked trade between the European Union and the United States last year, but a new study reveals that the bilateral exchange of goods and services actually reached a record high in 2025. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 6 July 2026

Tensions in the Pacific have recently heightened over the potential of war, especially because China has increased military exercises near the island. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 6 July 2026

The result is a looming structural deficit that will lead to higher prices, greater reliance on higher emitting alternatives in some regions, and heightened geopolitical risk for importing nations. — David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

San Jose Fire Chief Robert Sapien warned that fire dangers are especially heightened this season. — Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 1 July 2026