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
Jordan Shaked, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2026
Many Palestinians view the heightened Israeli security presence, and increasing visits by religious and nationalist Israeli Jews, as a provocation.
—Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
There is a heightened intensity to her songs, even at their most muted—a simmering cauldron of woe in near-constant threat of bubbling over.
—Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2026
Rivera said in a statement posted to social media that anyone who chooses to venture into backcountry areas should take safety precautions, and consider not going at all in heightened conditions.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
What remains to be seen is how exactly the Illinois legislature will respond to any heightened pressure to continue its talks with the Bears.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The civil rights leader hoped to engage more African Americans with politics, pushing for higher voter registration rates across the country and heightened representation.
—Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 17 Feb. 2026
Back in November, the organization’s two Arizona chapters hastily organized food and formula drives to combat heightened food insecurity caused by SNAP Benefit cuts during the government shutdown.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026
Within that broader landscape, the vibrance of Black wine culture in Chicago is palpable, explains Cuff, with the city’s rapidly expanding ecosystem of Black sommeliers, educators, retailers and restaurateurs reflecting not only heightened demand but firmer infrastructure too.
—Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 22 Feb. 2026
Those concerns were heightened after Venezuelan opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa, who had spent eight months as a political prisoner, was re-arrested earlier this month, just hours after being released.
—Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
The levies were first announced at the start of February 2025, but went into effect over time — and were at times delayed, reduced or heightened through further retaliation.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Tiffany explained to Bondi at the hearing that the closure of the roads in 2023 caused homeowners, including senior citizens, to have to use snowmobiles to access their properties and heightened concerns about access for emergency services.
—Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Exercise heightened caution during this period.
—Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
Two shows, much of it improvised, will be staged at The Conrad in La Jolla next Sunday and that heightened, in-the-moment energy transmits to the audience.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
The polarized response to the Super Bowl halftime show was heightened by the president signaling his strong distaste for Bad Bunny both before and after the game.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
The idea that Wuthering Heights is alive is heightened in the film by production designer Suzie Davies’s sets.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
These patients experience profound immunosuppression and face a heightened risk of serious infection.
—Jordan Shaked, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2026
Many Palestinians view the heightened Israeli security presence, and increasing visits by religious and nationalist Israeli Jews, as a provocation.
—Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
There is a heightened intensity to her songs, even at their most muted—a simmering cauldron of woe in near-constant threat of bubbling over.
—Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2026
Rivera said in a statement posted to social media that anyone who chooses to venture into backcountry areas should take safety precautions, and consider not going at all in heightened conditions.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
What remains to be seen is how exactly the Illinois legislature will respond to any heightened pressure to continue its talks with the Bears.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The civil rights leader hoped to engage more African Americans with politics, pushing for higher voter registration rates across the country and heightened representation.
—Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 17 Feb. 2026
Back in November, the organization’s two Arizona chapters hastily organized food and formula drives to combat heightened food insecurity caused by SNAP Benefit cuts during the government shutdown.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026
Within that broader landscape, the vibrance of Black wine culture in Chicago is palpable, explains Cuff, with the city’s rapidly expanding ecosystem of Black sommeliers, educators, retailers and restaurateurs reflecting not only heightened demand but firmer infrastructure too.
—Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
That combination has heightened the risk of fast-spreading wildfires across the state.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 22 Feb. 2026
Those concerns were heightened after Venezuelan opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa, who had spent eight months as a political prisoner, was re-arrested earlier this month, just hours after being released.
—Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
The levies were first announced at the start of February 2025, but went into effect over time — and were at times delayed, reduced or heightened through further retaliation.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Tiffany explained to Bondi at the hearing that the closure of the roads in 2023 caused homeowners, including senior citizens, to have to use snowmobiles to access their properties and heightened concerns about access for emergency services.
—Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Exercise heightened caution during this period.
—Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
Two shows, much of it improvised, will be staged at The Conrad in La Jolla next Sunday and that heightened, in-the-moment energy transmits to the audience.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
The polarized response to the Super Bowl halftime show was heightened by the president signaling his strong distaste for Bad Bunny both before and after the game.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
The idea that Wuthering Heights is alive is heightened in the film by production designer Suzie Davies’s sets.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightened
Adjective
-
Thomas will see increased game reps throughout the spring.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Some conditions may pose an increased risk, such as a recent heart attack, so check with a healthcare professional before starting to use a sauna.—
Ashley Olivine,
Verywell Health,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But political pressure intensified as UT’s top leadership turned over.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Since October last year, Russia has intensified its drone and missile attacks on the Ukrainian energy system, knocking out electricity and heat and plunging millions of Ukrainians into long blackouts during bitterly cold winter temperatures.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The team lifted three to four times per week during the offseason and makes sure to lift three times a week even as the season progresses.—
Ishmael Johnson,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Though tones can match, a room often looks elevated and well-styled when there are multiple shades involved.—
Melissa Epifano,
The Spruce,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The fabrics are soft and lightweight, the shapes are polished, and many come in elevated colors and patterns that read high-end.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The killing of Quentin Deranque has deepened tensions between France’s political factions ahead of next year’s presidential election.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The congress, which began last Thursday, comes as Kim grows increasingly assertive in regional politics, following an aggressive expansion of his nuclear arsenal and closer ties with Russia forged through joint war efforts in Ukraine, which have deepened his standoffs with Washington and Seoul.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Companies that raised prices because of tariffs are unlikely to immediately reduce them because of the ruling, experts said, as rates remain uncertain.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
-
With state funding lagging, schools have raised tuition to stay afloat, a cycle the legislation’s sponsors say their plan could break.—
Jack O'Connor,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In honor of the rich history the property boasts, Casa Cody was designated a Class 1 historic site, Palm Springs’ highest level of historic preservation.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Prototype achieves high capacity and industrial-scale metrics At the core of the prototype is a conductive polymer known as poly(benzodifurandione), or PBFDO.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The latter impression is enhanced by an abundance of background light, but the images remain stunning.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Riffs on that comedy were enhanced in 2004 by former Python Eric Idle, with co-writer John Du Prez.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightened. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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