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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of heightened
Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2026
Some additional points mentioned in DSM-5 are that the heightened activity lasts at least four consecutive days and is present most of the day for each such day.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Some intelligence reports even report that Putin and his inner circle have been forced to take heightened security precautions from the threat of Ukrainian drone strikes.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 23 May 2026
Tank traps dug during a time of heightened political tensions in the 1970s strafe the landscape either side of the highway, and a section of desert along from where the trench is being dug is still laid with anti-tank mines from the era.
—John Bartlett, NPR, 23 May 2026
The exercises took place during a period of heightened military activity related to the war in Ukraine.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026
The art that Carax has provided above indicates that the film will have a heightened and dreamlike visual style in the same vein as his previous work.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 20 May 2026
This show always excelled by presenting a heightened depiction of what already existed.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 20 May 2026
Jewish students were harassed on campuses; Jewish institutions required heightened security; even expressions of grief were sometimes met with suspicion.
—Michael W. Sonnenfeldt, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026
Lovia Gyarkye, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
Everything in this screen world is heightened, slightly off-kilter, but entirely plausible (with the exception being Ruby’s wretched body, still burning after all these years).
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
But, the emotion was heightened by watching his bond with the late Paul Walker form on the big screen.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 14 May 2026
Parents say the controversy and pain caused by use of confinement boxes in the district's elementary schools has been heightened and complicated by the fact that some school employees involved in the practice are members of the Akwesasne Mohawk tribal community.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 14 May 2026
And with overseas conflicts and geopolitical tensions heightened now, this uncertainty doesn't appear ready to subside any time soon.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Larsson said his second season has heightened his perspective.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026
For Iranian artists long exiled from their homeland, the conflict has heightened the difficulties and dangers of keeping in touch with family and colleagues in Iran.
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
Russia heightened security for Victory Day celebrations Saturday, including shutting down mobile internet in Moscow and warning of potential retaliatory strikes if Ukrainian attacks disrupt the event.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Adjective
However, Iran’s national team — which has faced heightened scrutiny leading up to this summer’s World Cup — recently learned it will not be based in the United States once the tournament begins.
—Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2026
Some additional points mentioned in DSM-5 are that the heightened activity lasts at least four consecutive days and is present most of the day for each such day.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Some intelligence reports even report that Putin and his inner circle have been forced to take heightened security precautions from the threat of Ukrainian drone strikes.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 23 May 2026
Tank traps dug during a time of heightened political tensions in the 1970s strafe the landscape either side of the highway, and a section of desert along from where the trench is being dug is still laid with anti-tank mines from the era.
—John Bartlett, NPR, 23 May 2026
The exercises took place during a period of heightened military activity related to the war in Ukraine.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026
The art that Carax has provided above indicates that the film will have a heightened and dreamlike visual style in the same vein as his previous work.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 20 May 2026
This show always excelled by presenting a heightened depiction of what already existed.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 20 May 2026
Jewish students were harassed on campuses; Jewish institutions required heightened security; even expressions of grief were sometimes met with suspicion.
—Michael W. Sonnenfeldt, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026
Verb
Through writing the screenplay and collaborating with Young and Johnson, Harris was able to flesh out these characters in a way that heightened the tragic undertones of their story.
—Lovia Gyarkye, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
Everything in this screen world is heightened, slightly off-kilter, but entirely plausible (with the exception being Ruby’s wretched body, still burning after all these years).
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
But, the emotion was heightened by watching his bond with the late Paul Walker form on the big screen.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 14 May 2026
Parents say the controversy and pain caused by use of confinement boxes in the district's elementary schools has been heightened and complicated by the fact that some school employees involved in the practice are members of the Akwesasne Mohawk tribal community.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 14 May 2026
And with overseas conflicts and geopolitical tensions heightened now, this uncertainty doesn't appear ready to subside any time soon.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Larsson said his second season has heightened his perspective.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026
For Iranian artists long exiled from their homeland, the conflict has heightened the difficulties and dangers of keeping in touch with family and colleagues in Iran.
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
Russia heightened security for Victory Day celebrations Saturday, including shutting down mobile internet in Moscow and warning of potential retaliatory strikes if Ukrainian attacks disrupt the event.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightened
Adjective
-
Strategic Takeaways Cultivating more biomass traditionally means processing at higher volumes, increased SKU complexity, additional labor, higher overhead costs and the waste of natural resources and utilities at every step of the chain.—
Thomas Andersen,
Rolling Stone,
14 May 2026
-
At Pinewood, the program has sparked increased interest in dance and the arts across campus, with younger students expressing interest in participating and teachers incorporating performances into school-wide events.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
With Boston ruled out just before tip-off due to a lower leg injury, the spotlight on Caitlin Clark intensified.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
Moreno, a health director for a labor union, said he was consumed at the time with his job, which suddenly intensified as the COVID-19 pandemic swept the country.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Evacuation orders were issued for the area Thursday, but they were lifted that night after the vapor conditions improved, McGovern said.—
Taylor Romine,
CNN Money,
23 May 2026
-
The last of the old space-skimming Starships lifted off in October.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
Against the backdrop of tight supply, analysts expect the current environment of elevated oil prices to persist for some time.—
,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
Hernandez's death comes amid a Beach Hazards Statement for the Monterey County coastline this weekend due to high winds, dangerous surf, strong rip currents, rough shore breaks and elevated waves.—
Cecilio Padilla,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Meehan’s family soon moved to the Toures’ neighborhood, and the friendship deepened.—
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Relations between China and Russia have deepened in recent years, particularly since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 left Moscow shunned on the global stage and heavily reliant on Beijing for trade due to Western sanctions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Analysts have raised concerns about concentration risks in South Korea's stock market, with an overreliance on a small group of companies raising the risk of volatility and vulnerability to geopolitical shocks, including a slowdown in data-center spending.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
Woldenberg, in response to the tariffs, had implemented a hiring freeze, put off plans to build a new warehouse, and raised the prices of his firm’s products.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
That couldn’t be truer during summer’s most sweltering days, when the challenge is not only to dress well, but to feel well too—a task that only grows more difficult the higher the mercury rises.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
23 May 2026
-
That one also featured one high-scoring inning and a mid-game adjustment.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
The club permitted various non-Jewish groups to use its meeting halls, which enhanced relations between the communities.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2026
-
The house was built with a steel frame, eliminating the need for interior columns, which enhanced daylight, circulation and sightlines throughout the interior.—
Fred Albert,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightened. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
