as in strengthening
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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
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
The next day, Venus and Mars align in Capricorn, heightening the energy of the Full Moon and Venus Star Point, pushing us to take additional action on the intentions set on January 3rd.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 1 Jan. 2026
The looming move added another layer of tension to the season, heightening speculation that Beatrice and Eugenie might choose to spend the holiday with their parents rather than join the royal family at Sandringham.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025
Oracle shares tumbled nearly 11% after the cloud computing company posted disappointing quarterly revenue and raised its spending forecast, heightening concerns about the company's debt.
—Sean Conlon,pia Singh, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025
The forecast alerted that wind gusts could reach up to 50–60 miles per hour, heightening the risk for frostbite and hypothermia.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
Taylor opted to go sans top beneath the jacket, heightening the commanding sensual style.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Sticky candies, on the other hand—like Twizzlers and Starbursts—stay on the teeth longer, heightening the risk of cavities.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 28 Oct. 2025
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
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
The next day, Venus and Mars align in Capricorn, heightening the energy of the Full Moon and Venus Star Point, pushing us to take additional action on the intentions set on January 3rd.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 1 Jan. 2026
The looming move added another layer of tension to the season, heightening speculation that Beatrice and Eugenie might choose to spend the holiday with their parents rather than join the royal family at Sandringham.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025
Oracle shares tumbled nearly 11% after the cloud computing company posted disappointing quarterly revenue and raised its spending forecast, heightening concerns about the company's debt.
—Sean Conlon,pia Singh, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025
The forecast alerted that wind gusts could reach up to 50–60 miles per hour, heightening the risk for frostbite and hypothermia.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
Taylor opted to go sans top beneath the jacket, heightening the commanding sensual style.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Sticky candies, on the other hand—like Twizzlers and Starbursts—stay on the teeth longer, heightening the risk of cavities.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightening
Noun
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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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Syrian government and Kurdish forces accuse each other of targeting civilians and hospitals, intensifying humanitarian concerns amid the military standoff.—
Ghaith Alsayed,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Jan. 2026
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All those factors have created a dynamic in Congress in which the potency of Republican dissent is intensifying, especially amid the approaching midterm elections, which historically spell trouble for the party in power.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
10 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
-
Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Hopper saw a 40% increase in air travelers, adding its Disruption Assistance feature – which allows users to instantly rebook if their flight is delayed or canceled, or get a refund – overnight following the DOT’s announcement.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But there were bright spots, too, including awe-inspiring concerts; trips to different cities and countries; and deepening friendships over card games, meals and dancing until the wee hours.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
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Anjula Acharia is deepening her partnership with Warner Music Group, launching a new management entity under the 5 Junction umbrella less than a year after establishing the label.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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It is measured in the millions of students striving for opportunity—most of them raising children, working jobs, serving in uniform, or making rent and mortgage payments with other bills competing for their attention.—
Yolanda Watson Spiva,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
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One person might earn more while the other contributes in different but equally meaningful ways, like managing the home, raising kids and planning for the future.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Picture books of colorful flowers and plants, as well as seed catalogs, can be wonderful sources of memory enhancement.—
The San Diego Union Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
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The new mining vehicle features engineering enhancements designed to overcome the challenges of the seabed.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The administration has quietly directed diplomats to press allies on restricting inflows, enhancing deportation mechanisms, and ending policies perceived as favoring migrants over citizens.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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While achieving a rugged look, the fiber retains the signature softness and high moisture-regulating properties characteristic of TENCEL™ Lyocell, enhancing wearer comfort.—
SJ Studio,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightening. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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