heightened 1 of 2

Definition of heightenednext

heightened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of heighten

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
Adjective
The Vatican said the pope’s stopover in the Spanish archipelago will send a message to Europe on migration at a moment of heightened political tensions over irregular arrivals. Claudio Lavanga, NBC news, 6 June 2026 For her, the aftermath of that victory brought heightened anxiety, and searing criticism from outsiders when the Swedish pro’s play took a dip. Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026 Given the heightened security, soccer fans will likely feel safe, but locals caught up in the violence are still disappearing. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 June 2026 Amid heightened national tensions over democracy and election administration, public confidence remains fragile. Louie Sawi, New York Daily News, 4 June 2026 Law enforcement has been meeting and working on heightened security for the event, according to one law enforcement source. Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 4 June 2026 However, shares fell 4% after some investors questioned why the heightened attention surrounding Anthropic’s Mythos did not translate into a larger near-term boost to results. Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 4 June 2026 Lasers have long had a reputation for being a risky treatment for melanin-rich skin due to the heightened risk of burns or discoloration. Aimee Simeon, Allure, 3 June 2026 Moscow launched the onslaught against threats of heightened aggression, citing a wave of Ukrainian near-daily attacks on Russian oil assets that tanked fuel stocks and exacerbated economic woes. Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
Verb
The dangers faced by health workers have been heightened by anger among residents over the stringent medical protocols for handling the victims’ bodies, which clash with local burial rites. Justin Kabumba, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026 The dangers faced by health workers have been heightened by anger among residents over the stringent medical protocols for handling the victims' bodies, which clash with local burial rites. CBS News, 31 May 2026 The advent of huge AI data centers around the world has heightened the importance of the networks of undersea cables. Tim Lister, CNN Money, 31 May 2026 In some communities distrust of outside authorities and aid organizations has led to attacks on treatment centers, while the outbreak’s spread through Ituri—a major commercial and migration hub—has heightened concerns about wider regional and international transmission. Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 May 2026 Fatal bicycle crashes in recent years have heightened concerns among bike safety advocates about the need for improved bicycle safety infrastructure in the south and southwest suburban region. Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026 Visuals are heightened by VESA DisplayHDR 1000 for extreme brightness, while an ergonomic stand and Picture-by-Picture multitasking maximize desktop utility. Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 29 May 2026 Those humans who currently get degrees in philosophy tend to find gainful employment not because organizations need philosophers, but because companies want people who have strong writing skills, can do analyses, think in abstractions, and have heightened communication skills. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 Everything feels heightened and more exciting. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightened
Adjective
  • The strongest effect came from increased feelings of security, trust and reliance within the relationship.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
  • But analysts see 2026 as a period of consolidation for the sector, in which bullishness over Europe's increased defense spending is replaced by greater scrutiny of individual companies' performance and fundamentals.
    Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 30 May 2026
Verb
  • Clashes intensified this weekend as police with riot shields and officers on horseback pushed back demonstrators, some of whom tore down barricades, hurled objects and set tires ablaze outside the 1,000-bed facility.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
  • At the same time, recovery from the Palisades and Eaton fires, which destroyed more than 16,000 structures, has further intensified frustrations around rebuilding, insurance costs and the city government’s response to crises.
    Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • But that could change soon as the Bank of Japan has been hiking rates while hotter inflation has lifted Japanese government bond yields, which are now looking more attractive and emerging as an alternative to Treasury bonds.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 June 2026
  • The Red Sea fest and market held in city of Jeddah, on the Red Sea’s eastern shore, was established in 2019, with its inaugural edition taking place in 2020, two years after Saudi Arabia lifted its 35-year ban on commercial movie theaters.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 6 June 2026
Adjective
  • The waffle-stitch of this sweater tank is perfectly elevated and pairs beautifully with wide-leg or boyfriend jeans, skirts, and shorts.
    Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2026
  • But the elevated velocity didn’t seem to affect his performance beyond extending at-bats.
    Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • Global economic outlook worsens over Iran war The US and Iran appeared still willing to reach a peace deal despite American strikes and Tehran’s threats of reprisals — but the global economic fallout from the conflict deepened.
    semafor.com, semafor.com, 29 May 2026
  • Tensions deepened Thursday in Lebanon as Israel conducted an airstrike on a southern suburb of the capital, Beirut, and other strikes in the southern coastal city of Tyre.
    Matthew Lee, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • Might a generation raised on social media, a force often credited with hastening the death of theatrical moviegoing, instead prove to be its salvation?
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
  • Further negotiations between Israel and Lebanon scheduled this week in Washington raised speculation that the two sides could reach a new ceasefire, which Iran has demanded as a precondition of any broader diplomatic settlement with the US.
    Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 31 May 2026
Adjective
  • Newsom has since pointed to this high state funding to call on the federal government to step up its own investments into forest management work.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
  • The second highest waste generator that year, Tesla’s plant in Fremont, produced 115,136 pounds of MMA waste, by comparison, records show.
    Jason Henry, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Verb
  • What Doremus has done though, is to make his own thing with a similar concept, a film greatly enhanced by the lilting presence of Clarke, who is wonderful in this role(s), showing us the glory of fate, and its price.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 5 June 2026
  • The tank has been enhanced as part of a beautification of the island.
    Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Heightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightened. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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