Synonyms of heightening

heightening 1 of 2

noun

as in strengthening

Related Words

• strengthening
• increase
• enhancement
• amelioration
• upturn
• uplift
• upswing
• boost
• advance
• breakthrough
• evolution
• maturation
• refinement
• advancement
• growth
• development
• betterment
• melioration
• quantum leap
• ripening
• elaboration
• expansion
• upgrade
• uptrend
• education
• enlightenment
• edification
• gestation
• revival
• perfection
• renaissance
• civilization
• find
• innovation
• windfall
• discovery
• renascence
• invention

Dissimilar Words

• breakdown
• collapse
• decrease
• crash
• reduction
• hindrance
• impediment
• weakening
• lessening
• deterioration
• worsening
• failing
• sinking
• decay
• decline
• stumbling block
• lapse
• slowing
• degeneration
• detriment
• decadence
• impairment
• downgrade
• descent
• drawback
• flagging
• declension
• shortcoming
• diminishment
• glitch
• disablement
• ebbing
• setback
• languishment

heightening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of heighten

1

as in intensifying

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

• intensifying
• deepening
• enhancing
• strengthening
• consolidating
• reinforcing
• amplifying
• accentuating
• boosting
• broadening
• sharpening
• expanding
• stepping up
• emphasizing
• augmenting
• magnifying
• redoubling
• extending
• lengthening
• accelerating
• enlarging
• enforcing
• maximizing
• beefing (up)
• stressing
• supplementing
• amping (up)
• hastening
• quickening
• pointing (up)
• exacerbating
• aggravating
• enlivening
• restrengthening
• jazzing (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reducing
• decreasing
• moderating
• diminishing
• lessening
• weakening
• abating
• subduing
• waning
• receding
• subsiding
• dwindling
• alleviating
• tapering (off)
• easing
• toning (down)
• lightening
• letting up (on)

2

as in lifting

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

• lifting
• raising
• elevating
• boosting
• upping
• hoisting
• upholding
• uplifting
• heaving
• craning
• hiking
• rising
• mounting
• taking up
• jacking (up)
• ascending
• upraising
• hefting
• perking (up)
• picking up
• rearing
• upending

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lowering
• falling
• dropping
• descending
• slipping
• pushing
• plunging
• dipping
• pressing
• bearing
• pitching
• sinking
• depressing
• submerging

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of heightening

Noun

The real heightening of this support, though, came four years later. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 July 2026

It all sticks — every Dutch angle, inventively silly camera placement, and enthusiastic heightening of high-noon suspense. — James Grebey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026

Lighting designer Esquire Jauchem softens and brightens above and around the ever-moving Rubinstein as topics and memories call for the heightening and muting of the president’s feelings and emotions. — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 20 Jan. 2026

Just a day later, Neptune retrograde shifts into Pisces, heightening intuition and deepening emotional awareness with entirely new depth. — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025

Verb

Last year’s record-shattering monsoon season is heightening the urgency to invest in climate resilience. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026

Interest rates on government bonds are rising again around the world, making borrowing more expensive for consumers and businesses and heightening concerns about whether governments are issuing more debt than financial markets can handle. — Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

The manufacturing and exporting might of China and the artificial intelligence revolution are heightening concerns of France being left behind economically and technologically. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026

The head of the world’s financial stability watchdog warned that greater cyber threats from frontier AI are heightening the risk of market disruptions. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026

This, of course, is intensified by the weight of tomorrow’s lunar eclipse, already heightening our emotions. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026

Seattle comforts you with its natural beauty, quieting your mind and heightening your senses. — Giovanna Caravetta, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026

There’s an Iran war that won’t end, heightening anxieties, plus fluctuating trade policies for those who deal with foreign goods or markets. — Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 25 Aug. 2026

Gradually, the story’s impact started to affect Eckert, with every passing day heightening the scrutiny. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026