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
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Recent Examples of heightened
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Pregnant females face heightened risk during winter and spring months.
—Ryan Brennan
april 24, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
That delinquency is, in turn, what generally triggers heightened collection activity.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
In keeping with the heightened interest around the NHL, commercial inventory in this year’s postseason games all but flew off the shelves.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2026
During periods of heightened solar activity, there's even a chance of spotting auroras alongside meteors, adding an extra layer of magic to the already beautiful view!
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Under the direction and choreography of Christopher Gattelli, the show moves briskly, with energetic staging that embraces the heightened reality of its setting.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
The records also point to heightened oversight by Thibault, a bureau figure who Republicans have alleged played a central role in quashing an investigation into Hunter Biden.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 2026
These paintings celebrated flight as a new sensory and political regime, transforming aerial perspectives into expressions of heightened command.
—Simon Denny, Artforum, 20 Apr. 2026
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Lufthansa just slashed 20,000 flights, and others like United Airlines are raising flight prices by up to 20% as jet fuel shortages place heightened pressure on airlines.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
With the moon in your sign, emotions are heightened, and external pressures feel extra loud.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Market conditions changed in March, sparked by a series of uneven economic reports and heightened geopolitical tensions and overseas conflicts.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Everything is heightened in The Garden.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026
The stakes of all those efforts will be heightened during the approaching midterm elections.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, Riley’s anxiety was heightened when her garden gate was recently damaged by someone.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
Subsequent bets placed on the Iran war and other government actions have heightened the alarm of lawmakers, who are scrambling to legislate tougher restrictions on the platforms.
—Justin Papp,garrett Downs, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Boston's slow start comes in a year with heightened expectations, after the Red Sox reached the postseason last season.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Pregnant females face heightened risk during winter and spring months.
—Ryan Brennan
april 24, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
That delinquency is, in turn, what generally triggers heightened collection activity.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
In keeping with the heightened interest around the NHL, commercial inventory in this year’s postseason games all but flew off the shelves.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2026
During periods of heightened solar activity, there's even a chance of spotting auroras alongside meteors, adding an extra layer of magic to the already beautiful view!
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Under the direction and choreography of Christopher Gattelli, the show moves briskly, with energetic staging that embraces the heightened reality of its setting.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
The records also point to heightened oversight by Thibault, a bureau figure who Republicans have alleged played a central role in quashing an investigation into Hunter Biden.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 2026
These paintings celebrated flight as a new sensory and political regime, transforming aerial perspectives into expressions of heightened command.
—Simon Denny, Artforum, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
Climate change has also heightened risks.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Lufthansa just slashed 20,000 flights, and others like United Airlines are raising flight prices by up to 20% as jet fuel shortages place heightened pressure on airlines.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
With the moon in your sign, emotions are heightened, and external pressures feel extra loud.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Market conditions changed in March, sparked by a series of uneven economic reports and heightened geopolitical tensions and overseas conflicts.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Everything is heightened in The Garden.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026
The stakes of all those efforts will be heightened during the approaching midterm elections.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, Riley’s anxiety was heightened when her garden gate was recently damaged by someone.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
Subsequent bets placed on the Iran war and other government actions have heightened the alarm of lawmakers, who are scrambling to legislate tougher restrictions on the platforms.
—Justin Papp,garrett Downs, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightened
Adjective
-
These warnings are issued by the National Weather Service when there are ripe conditions for increased risk of wildfires—such conditions include low humidity, strong winds and low moisture on the ground.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
23 Apr. 2026
-
To help meet increased demand, Kansas City amended its short-term rental ordinance.—
Taylor Haught,
Kansas City Star,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The outraged reactions only intensified, including claims that teams would be reticent to do business with the Ravens in the future.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Already ongoing for days ahead of the visit, discussions about handling security intensified after a heavily armed man sprinted through security and got yards away from the banquet hall crowded with about 2,000 journalists, federal officials and celebrities before he was tackled to the ground.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sheehan allowed a single to Moisés Ballesteros with one out and was lifted after throwing a career-high 101 pitches with a 4-0 lead.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The mother then lifted the toddler out of the water while the otter continued attacking and bit her arm.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Yet the club has also flourished amid elevated stakes.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The elevated bamboo design looks sleek in any space, whether used as a writing desk, makeup vanity, or side table, and has earned numerous five-star ratings for its sturdiness, quality, and ease of assembly.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For Kennedy, being part of the series has only deepened her confidence.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
-
His work deepened and developed under the responsiveness of the academy and a larger and not-yet-balkanized reading public.—
Nick Laird,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In that moment, Caldentey looked up, assessed the situation, and raised her right arm.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
These questions were raised after reporting by The New York Times in August 2024 regarding Moore’s untruthful claims about receiving the Bronze Star in Afghanistan — a story originally reported on in 2022 by FOX45’s Mikenzie Frost.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
His elite pass protection and calm feet mean he can be trusted immediately to keep the quarterback clean on passing downs, while also providing a high-effort presence on special teams.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Cameras now deploy ever higher frame rates, as seen in the uncanny sheen of blockbusters by James Cameron and Peter Jackson, and films are shot, shown, and restored on ever higher resolutions (4K, 8K, and beyond).—
Dennis Lim,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The series’ earnestly naïve sound design (horses neighing, cars revving) only enhanced my appreciation of Joudrey’s sophisticated storytelling.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The contract provides raises and enhanced health benefits, among other things.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightened. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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