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
Steve Sullivan, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2026
Amid the heightened tensions, an explosion in the southern Iranian port of Bandar Abbas on Saturday sparked alarm.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 31 Jan. 2026
The announcements come amid heightened political tension following Maduro’s capture and ongoing domestic and international negotiations over Venezuela’s institutional future.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
The heightened doubt may be affecting public opinions about sports betting, if not changing the public’s behavior.
—Emil Steiner, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
While the peak likely occurred in 2025, the sun remains in a state of heightened activity.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The lawsuit comes amid heightened national tensions over electoral integrity in the 2020 election.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 30 Jan. 2026
Automotive revenue, which still accounts for about 70% of Tesla’s business, declined 10% in 2025, as the company failed to offer new EV models and faced heightened competition across the globe, especially from China’s BYD and Volkswagen and BMW in Europe.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
From a student perspective, applying early can feel like a smart move, to showcase heightened interest in the school, to be able to weigh options earlier, and to showcase stronger materials before senior-itis sets in.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
The significance of last weekend’s victory is heightened when considering what unfolded elsewhere in London earlier that day.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
That was heightened when his brother, Erik Frank, died by suicide in 2001 at age 29.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Minneapolis, home to mega corporations like Target, UnitedHealth and 3M, has become the testing ground for when and how far corporate leaders will wade into escalating political tensions, heightened by a president who pushes the bounds of state power.
—Hugh Son,melissa Repko, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Because eclipse season begins immediately after, emotions may feel heightened, dramatic, or extra revealing.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
The concern is heightened by political shifts within Micronesia itself.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The incident heightened national attention on aviation safety in 2025, with many people questioning whether flying was safe.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
Emmer has been a staunch opponent of Walz for some time, whose antagonism for the governor heightened once Walz became the vice presidential running mate to former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
That work is increasingly important given the reality of operating energy delivery companies in a time of heightened climate risk, when extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and more intense.
—Steve Sullivan, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2026
Amid the heightened tensions, an explosion in the southern Iranian port of Bandar Abbas on Saturday sparked alarm.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 31 Jan. 2026
The announcements come amid heightened political tension following Maduro’s capture and ongoing domestic and international negotiations over Venezuela’s institutional future.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
The heightened doubt may be affecting public opinions about sports betting, if not changing the public’s behavior.
—Emil Steiner, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
While the peak likely occurred in 2025, the sun remains in a state of heightened activity.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The lawsuit comes amid heightened national tensions over electoral integrity in the 2020 election.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 30 Jan. 2026
Automotive revenue, which still accounts for about 70% of Tesla’s business, declined 10% in 2025, as the company failed to offer new EV models and faced heightened competition across the globe, especially from China’s BYD and Volkswagen and BMW in Europe.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
From a student perspective, applying early can feel like a smart move, to showcase heightened interest in the school, to be able to weigh options earlier, and to showcase stronger materials before senior-itis sets in.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
With more and more international travelers headed to Japan—2025 was a record year for tourism—and social media feeds flooded with videos from Hokkaido and snapshots of slope-side katsu curry and ramen, the temptation to fly across the world to ski is heightened.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
The significance of last weekend’s victory is heightened when considering what unfolded elsewhere in London earlier that day.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
That was heightened when his brother, Erik Frank, died by suicide in 2001 at age 29.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Minneapolis, home to mega corporations like Target, UnitedHealth and 3M, has become the testing ground for when and how far corporate leaders will wade into escalating political tensions, heightened by a president who pushes the bounds of state power.
—Hugh Son,melissa Repko, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Because eclipse season begins immediately after, emotions may feel heightened, dramatic, or extra revealing.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
The concern is heightened by political shifts within Micronesia itself.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The incident heightened national attention on aviation safety in 2025, with many people questioning whether flying was safe.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
Emmer has been a staunch opponent of Walz for some time, whose antagonism for the governor heightened once Walz became the vice presidential running mate to former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightened
Adjective
-
The task force called for increased and more stable funding for fireworks disposal, noting costs nearly doubled in 2024 amid a shrinking disposal industry and rising seizures.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Police Chief Jim McDonnell, who attended the City Council meeting, took issue with council members criticizing the increased hiring.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
His announcement comes as Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy and logistics infrastructure, worsening conditions for civilians as winter temperatures plunge.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Asked earlier about the impact of the press coverage during the years-long legal fight, the prince said the situation had only intensified.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This is the type of snow that will get lifted by the wind, and gusts of up to 35 mph are expected.—
Caroline Silva,
AJC.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
My body often shut down and I was overcome with anxiety and depression, unable to eat or sleep, hiding away in a dark room for days until the pain lifted.—
Fatima Bhutto,
Vogue,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This woodpecker has a wide vocabulary of other sounds, including screams if being captured by predators, an elevated alarm call often given when predator hawks are near or rapidly drumming on dead hollow limbs during territorial disputes or to attract mates.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
-
More fresh finds include a $9 set of faux blooms that are perfect for arrangements, an intricate vase with a spring floral motif, and an elevated garden bed under $100—shop them all (and more) below.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The trajectory is not altered; instead, existing advancements are deepened and extended.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The fatal shooting sparked demonstrations nationwide and has deepened fissures between federal and state officials.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While an appeal could clarify how far the government’s detention authority extends, the broader questions raised by the case may take months, or longer, to resolve.—
Hanna Park,
CNN Money,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Zaghal is a Palestinian Canadian author who was born and raised in Jerusalem.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Once the company separates, Cahillane will serve as chief executive of Global Taste Elevation, the placeholder name for the spinoff with high-growth brands like Heinz and Philadelphia.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Ships have real inertia and Newtonian physics, and pilots can choose to toggle flight assistance on to help stabilize their often unpredictable craft, or off to perform mind-bending maneuvers that can be the edge between life and death in high-skill player versus player shootouts.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The deciduous saucer magnolia’s floral display is enhanced by the fact that flowering takes place when the tree is still leafless.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Updated for the first time since 1997, the new version promises 36-hour wear, enhanced skin care benefits and offers 70 shades.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightened. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
