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.
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Recent Examples of heightened
Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026
My heightened acuity is direct PTSD from my wife being hit on the Baldwin Park bike path in 2024.
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
This interfaith dinner has been held at Temple Emanu-El every year for the past decade, but this year's gathering comes at a moment of heightened concern.
—Naomi Ruchim, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
Across the country, Jewish institutions have operated under heightened security in recent years amid rising antisemitic threats, a concern that has been renewed as the US‑Israel war with Iran enters its third week.
—Nouran Salahieh, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
Yet the existence of such weapons and the opacity surrounding them mean the possibility cannot be entirely dismissed, especially during periods of heightened conflict.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Mar. 2026
That world of heightened scale is being felt more than ever in 2026.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026
Ro Reddick’s Reagan-era caper-cum-bildungsroman, which had its premiere at last year’s Summerworks and recently took home the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, is a heightened, slippery creature.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
And as the market has grown, scientists and public health advocates have become increasingly alarmed that young men who participate in sports betting may be at a heightened risk of negative physical and mental health consequences.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026
Concerns about the team’s safety in Iran heightened when the players didn’t sing the Iranian national anthem before their first match.
—ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
Concerns about the team's safety in Iran heightened when the players didn't sing the Iranian national anthem before their first match.
—CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
This time around — with concerns heightened not only because of a war with Iran, but also a recent shooting at a university in Virginia and an attack on a synagogue in Michigan — security is going to be even more ironclad, authorities said.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The film is an absolute riot, a no-bones-about-it horror flick heightened by powerful music, confident performances, and rich, resonant themes regarding cultural assimilation.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
The episode heightened fears across the Gulf that the war could expand to include water infrastructure in a region heavily dependent on desalination.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
The case has heightened concerns among Canada’s Iranian diaspora, many of whom have warned for years that Tehran monitors and intimidates critics abroad.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 12 Mar. 2026
The intensity heightened even further when Millbury sophomore Ryan Nikiforow (10 points, 8 rebounds) collected two offensive rebounds to extend the ensuing possession.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The shooting came amid heightened tension over the Iran war and followed gunfire attacks on two Toronto-area synagogues last weekend.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026
My heightened acuity is direct PTSD from my wife being hit on the Baldwin Park bike path in 2024.
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
This interfaith dinner has been held at Temple Emanu-El every year for the past decade, but this year's gathering comes at a moment of heightened concern.
—Naomi Ruchim, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
Across the country, Jewish institutions have operated under heightened security in recent years amid rising antisemitic threats, a concern that has been renewed as the US‑Israel war with Iran enters its third week.
—Nouran Salahieh, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
Yet the existence of such weapons and the opacity surrounding them mean the possibility cannot be entirely dismissed, especially during periods of heightened conflict.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Mar. 2026
That world of heightened scale is being felt more than ever in 2026.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026
Ro Reddick’s Reagan-era caper-cum-bildungsroman, which had its premiere at last year’s Summerworks and recently took home the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, is a heightened, slippery creature.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
And as the market has grown, scientists and public health advocates have become increasingly alarmed that young men who participate in sports betting may be at a heightened risk of negative physical and mental health consequences.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
The notion that the town cut a political deal in faraway Tallahassee to honor Trump and silence its own residents has only heightened the furor.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026
Concerns about the team’s safety in Iran heightened when the players didn’t sing the Iranian national anthem before their first match.
—ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
Concerns about the team's safety in Iran heightened when the players didn't sing the Iranian national anthem before their first match.
—CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
This time around — with concerns heightened not only because of a war with Iran, but also a recent shooting at a university in Virginia and an attack on a synagogue in Michigan — security is going to be even more ironclad, authorities said.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The film is an absolute riot, a no-bones-about-it horror flick heightened by powerful music, confident performances, and rich, resonant themes regarding cultural assimilation.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
The episode heightened fears across the Gulf that the war could expand to include water infrastructure in a region heavily dependent on desalination.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
The case has heightened concerns among Canada’s Iranian diaspora, many of whom have warned for years that Tehran monitors and intimidates critics abroad.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 12 Mar. 2026
The intensity heightened even further when Millbury sophomore Ryan Nikiforow (10 points, 8 rebounds) collected two offensive rebounds to extend the ensuing possession.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightened
Adjective
-
The weather service said an increased — albeit much lower — risk stretched north to a portion of New York and south to northern Florida.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Studies have linked using antibiotics to inflammatory bowel disease and cardiovascular disease, as well as an increased risk of Clostridioides difficile infection.—
Lori Youmshajekian,
Scientific American,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The rhetoric intensified Friday as GOP lawmakers responded to the attacks in Michigan and Virginia by urging a halt to all immigration into the United States.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The mounting toll has intensified concerns over how to counter drone swarms without depleting interceptor stockpiles that cost millions of dollars each to replace.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
My evident happiness was catching, and my mother, too, was lifted out of her depression.—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Golden State put up a fight — lifted by the energy of Malevy Leons and strong play from Podziemski and Porzingis — to cut the deficit to just 13 going into the final quarter.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Keep a distance from tall, isolated trees or other elevated objects.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Overall, these rooms are more like mini apartments; each with a full-size fridge, microwave, and cooking utensils and facilities, which signal the hotel’s basis of homey yet elevated interior design.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Israeli strikes have deepened Lebanon's humanitarian crisis, with about 800 people killed and more than 850,000 displaced.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
As mentioned previously, KU’s woes only deepened in the second half.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As of this week, the effort had raised $3,855.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The Michigan City United States Bowling Congress Bowling Association, which sponsors the event, has raised more than $130,000 in the last 18 years alone, the release said.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Most polls show voters rank the economy, voting rights, gas prices and other cost-of-living issues as higher priorities than transgender rights.—
Lia Russell
March 13,
Sacbee.com,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Trump is risking falling into the Biden trap by asking Americans to endure higher prices for a war in the Middle East.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The missile also features an A-band Active Electronic Scanned Array (AESA) radar seeker and has enhanced Terrain Contour Matching and target discrimination capabilities.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
-
In the shower, cornflower blue tiles are enhanced with a rounded black lacquer rim, which echoes the same detailing found elsewhere in the house.—
Annabelle Dufraigne,
Architectural Digest,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightened. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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