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
Relevance
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
as in strengthening
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of heightening
Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 11 Sep. 2025
Six Chinese nationals were recently detained in Subic Bay on espionage charges, further heightening mistrust.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
Tomorrow marks Alibaba’s 26th anniversary, with a press conference scheduled, heightening speculation about a major restructuring.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
In theatrical Leo, the love planet brings passion and flair, heightening our desire for affection and adoration.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Venus enters Leo, heightening our passion and lustful nature.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 22 Aug. 2025
The incident came after other safety issues had been linked to Boeing's Max line of aircraft, heightening concerns about the jet's safety.
—CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025
As a vasodilator, marijuana increases blood flow, heightening sensitivity in erogenous zones.
—Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2025
This and other alarm bells are heightening recession fears.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
The Hill’s Niall Stanage writes that the shocking killing of Kirk is heightening fears over the nation’s path.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 11 Sep. 2025
Six Chinese nationals were recently detained in Subic Bay on espionage charges, further heightening mistrust.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
Tomorrow marks Alibaba’s 26th anniversary, with a press conference scheduled, heightening speculation about a major restructuring.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
In theatrical Leo, the love planet brings passion and flair, heightening our desire for affection and adoration.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Venus enters Leo, heightening our passion and lustful nature.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 22 Aug. 2025
The incident came after other safety issues had been linked to Boeing's Max line of aircraft, heightening concerns about the jet's safety.
—CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025
As a vasodilator, marijuana increases blood flow, heightening sensitivity in erogenous zones.
—Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2025
This and other alarm bells are heightening recession fears.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightening
Verb
-
Like all good bistros, this one serves a roast chicken as burnished as a penny, uncharacteristically earthy and sweet thanks to the funky, flavor-intensifying power of koji.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Apple didn’t explain its reasoning behind the decision, but the market for satellite-to-phone service is intensifying.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But then the gel starts lifting up at the corners and catching on things like your hair.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
After lifting the ban in 2017, her country has come a long way, too.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The company said the bulk of the proceeds will fund the strengthening of its cloud infrastructure and international operations.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
-
In mid-September, the upper atmosphere and wind shear should become more favorable for the formation and strengthening of storms, Jennifer Francis, an atmospheric scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center, told ABC News.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As well as job displacement, AI risks deepening wealth inequality—concentrating the gains among those who own or are able to leverage its abilities, while throwing the remainder into the same basket of the formerly employable unemployed.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Instead, officials reinforce colonial subordination while deepening the vulnerability of immigrant communities.—
Israel Melendez Ayala,
Time,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Among them were countless era-defining releases that are still among the best movies ever made—of any genre—from the haunting Rebecca to the gripping Rear Window, and the ravishing Vertigo to the hair-raising Psycho.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
13 Sep. 2025
-
There were times when raising kids, building careers, and paying bills felt overwhelming.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The brutal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on a college campus shocked the nation and is forcing it to confront what appears to be an increase in political violence across the country.—
Carlie Procell,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Labor Department data released on Thursday showed one of the biggest weekly increases in jobless claims in more than a year.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But while there is a greater focus on creating differentiated, high-value experiences that customers deeply value, technology investments aimed at enhancing customer experience often fail to meet expectations.—
Rajiv Shesh,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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Government policies focused on both mitigating carbon emissions and enhancing energy independence are also making headway in some locations.—
Michael Oxman,
The Conversation,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Those in the know have made a convincing argument for elevating the loungewear with miniskirts and kitten heels.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Glamour,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Morning sunlight signals the brain to wake fully, thus elevating alertness and setting the body’s internal clock.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightening. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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