as in strengthening
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Dissimilar Words
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of heightening
Charu Sinha, Vulture, 7 Dec. 2025
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
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2026
Power prices have risen above the pace of overall inflation, heightening complaints about the cost of energy and other essentials.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
Rare-earth deposits are also frequently found alongside radioactive uranium, heightening environmental and political sensitivities as Greenland seeks to grow its tourism industry.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
Comfy, sleek, and immediately heightening, this shoe style is perfect for short girls who need office footwear that doubles as dinner heels.
—Shelby Comroe, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
Energetic Mars also faces Jupiter, heightening today’s urgency.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
Adding to American pressure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared support for Iranian protesters, likely heightening paranoia in Tehran.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 7 Jan. 2026
China is heightening scrutiny over tech deals involving US companies as Beijing ramps up domestic industries.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Venus creates a push-and-pull dynamic with the moon, heightening tension around our insecurities and instincts.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 1 Jan. 2026
Noun
The heightening of this sketch worked really well for me.
—Charu Sinha, Vulture, 7 Dec. 2025
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
Colina said detainees from Germán’s facility are often transferred during early-morning hours — frequently to Mexico — heightening fears that removal could already be under way.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2026
Power prices have risen above the pace of overall inflation, heightening complaints about the cost of energy and other essentials.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
Rare-earth deposits are also frequently found alongside radioactive uranium, heightening environmental and political sensitivities as Greenland seeks to grow its tourism industry.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
Comfy, sleek, and immediately heightening, this shoe style is perfect for short girls who need office footwear that doubles as dinner heels.
—Shelby Comroe, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
Energetic Mars also faces Jupiter, heightening today’s urgency.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
Adding to American pressure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared support for Iranian protesters, likely heightening paranoia in Tehran.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 7 Jan. 2026
China is heightening scrutiny over tech deals involving US companies as Beijing ramps up domestic industries.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Venus creates a push-and-pull dynamic with the moon, heightening tension around our insecurities and instincts.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 1 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightening
Noun
-
Plus, check out more strengthening, hair-growth treatments, below—starting at just $9.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Hydrolyzed rice protein helps defend against split ends, while sea buckthorn oil and squalane cushion the cuticle, so strengthening does not lead to stiffness.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The intensifying clash adds another dimension to the fight over Epstein, raising new questions about the limits of congressional power to compel testimony.—
Stephen Groves,
Fortune,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Meeks, head of technology research at Freedom Capital Markets, said Nvidia’s funk is a consequence of the fears that began over the summer around circular AI investing, GPU depreciation, and intensifying competition in the chipmaking space from Big Tech peers such as Google and Amazon .—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In 2024, in first (partial) year in his new no-heavy-lifting sinecure, Lowy pocketed $351,050.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
With the shot clock running down, Lopez swung the ball back to the other side, with Sanders waiting to retrieve it after lifting from the corner.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
When air temperature increases in the summer, a spider plant’s soil can dry out faster.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The weather is a major factor leading to price increases for the top two increases in our cart.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The two-day event marks the global launch of Gisou’s Honey Glaze Collagen Therapy Lip Mask and signals the brand’s deepening commitment to the lip category.—
Ritu Upadhyay,
Footwear News,
20 Jan. 2026
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China’s birth rate fell last year to its lowest level since 1949, highlighting a deepening demographic struggle for Beijing even as officials roll out new subsidies to encourage couples to have more children.—
Bloomberg,
Fortune,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At the same time, venture capital money poured into AI startups with many raising funds at high valuations and little product.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
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Type One is also in the midst of raising a $250 million Series B at a $900 million pre-money valuation, according to sources and later confirmed by the company.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Rafael Arechiga was charged with murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office had charged Mangione with terrorism enhancements in order to justify a first-degree murder charge under state law, which could have been punished with a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
People have been complaining about the progressively enhancing degradation in the city for weeks.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
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The keyboard designer introduced models to support productivity while enhancing personal expression, crafting tools that feel like they were truly made for the user.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightening. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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