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

Father-Daughter Song A very weird and funny pre-tape that is elevated by its genuinely strange heightening. — Charu Sinha, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026

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

The incidents are heightening concerns about female politicians’ safety and security in a country where lawmakers are highly accessible to the public. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

New shipping routes are opening, China is doing more trade through the Arctic region, and a Russian military buildup is also heightening security concerns. — Lorne Cook, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

The inflation report, which comes two weeks before the central bank’s next meeting and three weeks before Election Day, is heightening concerns about the Iran war’s effect on the cost of goods beyond food and energy. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Telecom providers — SpaceX moved to boost its Starlink Mobile service , heightening competition concerns around legacy telecom carriers. — Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Related Stories Of course, the Kings have long had a keen eye for distilling and (just barely) heightening the absurdities of modern life. — Alison Herman, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Climate change has been heating up Southern California for some time, heightening fire danger and worsening droughts. — Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

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