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
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
ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
In the meantime, a full blockade of the strait could force China to become more directly involved in a conflict that is already heightening tensions with Washington.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
The largest monthly jump in gas prices in six decades caused a sharp spike in inflation last month, creating major challenges for the inflation-fighters at the Federal Reserve and heightening already substantial political hurdles for the White House.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026
The largest monthly jump in gas prices in six decades caused a sharp spike in inflation in March, creating major challenges for the inflation-fighters at the Federal Reserve and heightening the political hurdles for the White House.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
What’s heightening the crisis is that stopgaps typically used to offset supply shocks have been rendered moot.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
The Iran war is heightening concerns over a looming food crisis in Asia.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Luna also trines Mercury, further heightening our communication skills.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2026
By April 5, the sun will square Jupiter, heightening everything from overconfidence to emotional reactions.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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
But mortgage rates have been mostly rising since the war with Iran began, sending energy prices surging and heightening worries about higher inflation.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
In the meantime, a full blockade of the strait could force China to become more directly involved in a conflict that is already heightening tensions with Washington.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
The largest monthly jump in gas prices in six decades caused a sharp spike in inflation last month, creating major challenges for the inflation-fighters at the Federal Reserve and heightening already substantial political hurdles for the White House.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026
The largest monthly jump in gas prices in six decades caused a sharp spike in inflation in March, creating major challenges for the inflation-fighters at the Federal Reserve and heightening the political hurdles for the White House.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
What’s heightening the crisis is that stopgaps typically used to offset supply shocks have been rendered moot.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
The Iran war is heightening concerns over a looming food crisis in Asia.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Luna also trines Mercury, further heightening our communication skills.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2026
By April 5, the sun will square Jupiter, heightening everything from overconfidence to emotional reactions.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightening
Noun
-
This week, hurricane forecasters at Colorado State University predicted 13 named storms, with six strengthening to hurricanes and two reaching major hurricane strength with sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or greater.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The benefits include more calories burned, greater muscle strengthening, and improved endurance.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Israeli officials and military leaders have recently sounded the alarm over intensifying violence and lawlessness by extremist settlers in the occupied West Bank, where arsons and deadly attacks have continued unabated.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The company has faced intensifying competition from TikTok and continues to battle longtime rivals in social media including Instagram and X, formerly Twitter.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That season ended with Dustin Brown lifting the Stanley Cup.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Here’s a breakdown of the Avs’ first-round series with the Kings, who have not won a playoff round since lifting the Stanley Cup in 2014.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Nevada Irrigation District says the increases are necessary to fix aging infrastructure while keeping up with rising costs.—
Conor McGill,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Spencer said West Coast Tomato anticipates a 10% to 15% increase in costs in the fall, driven by rising transportation, oil and fertilizer prices.—
Vanessa Yurkevich,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Though last week's ceasefire appeared to hold, the showdown over the Strait of Hormuz risked reigniting hostilities and deepening the region-wide war's economic fallout.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
At Sunset+Vine, which was founded 30 years ago, East will focus on scaling the company’s international presence, deepening strategic partnerships with rights holders and integrating live, original and digital-native content.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But critics argue lawmakers merely shifted money around while leaving deeper tax, spending and cost-of-living pressures for the next administration, raising a bigger accountability question for voters this fall.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Apr. 2026
-
If passed, the bill would refer a question to the ballot asking voters whether to invest more in K-12 education -- specifically for teacher pay and retention, smaller class sizes, and expanded career and technical education -- without raising taxes.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The money would fund not only improvements inside the stadium but also bridges and roads outside, along with security enhancements.—
J.D. Miles,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Pergine gives her lip enhancement with hyaluronic acid filler and routine neurotoxin treatments, which help her TMJ pain.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Soko applied finishing treatments using Hydrogel technology to preserve the fabric and achieve vintage wash effects, significantly reducing water consumption and enhancing the overall sustainability footprint.—
SJ Studio,
Footwear News,
15 Apr. 2026
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The city says investing in pedestrian infrastructure will help to reduce vehicle miles traveled, easing congestion and enhancing the environmental and economic vitality of the area.—
Brian Sherrod,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightening. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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