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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Lower has the yeoman’s task of heightening the narrative’s frenetic unease.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
Arrests have proven to be ineffective at stopping drug use, instead heightening risk of overdose and death.
—Grey Gardner, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Fouad Berry, a board member at the Islamic Institute of Knowledge in Dearborn, Michigan, said that the community center and mosque is heightening security because of the war.
—Amaarah Decuir, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026
One question law enforcement and Homeland Security officials may be wrestling with, Chasdi said, is whether the public alerts enhance safety by heightening awareness or whether the publicity about them may, unintentionally, inspire more of them.
—Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 13 Mar. 2026
The war is also heightening unease in Seoul about its alliance with the United States.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026
The war is also heightening unease in Seoul about its alliance with the United States.
—ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
After all, when placed on a marquee, this punctuation mark signifies that a film will contain an exceptional array of excitement, thrills, and shock, heightening our expectations — as well as our disappointment when (as often happens) the hype isn’t delivered.
—Rachel Simon, Vulture, 6 Mar. 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
Warm overnight lows in the 60s and 70s prevent body cooling, heightening risks for heat exhaustion and heatstroke among seniors, homeless individuals and those with chronic conditions.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Lower has the yeoman’s task of heightening the narrative’s frenetic unease.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
Arrests have proven to be ineffective at stopping drug use, instead heightening risk of overdose and death.
—Grey Gardner, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Fouad Berry, a board member at the Islamic Institute of Knowledge in Dearborn, Michigan, said that the community center and mosque is heightening security because of the war.
—Amaarah Decuir, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026
One question law enforcement and Homeland Security officials may be wrestling with, Chasdi said, is whether the public alerts enhance safety by heightening awareness or whether the publicity about them may, unintentionally, inspire more of them.
—Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 13 Mar. 2026
The war is also heightening unease in Seoul about its alliance with the United States.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026
The war is also heightening unease in Seoul about its alliance with the United States.
—ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
After all, when placed on a marquee, this punctuation mark signifies that a film will contain an exceptional array of excitement, thrills, and shock, heightening our expectations — as well as our disappointment when (as often happens) the hype isn’t delivered.
—Rachel Simon, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightening
Noun
-
Of course, the Elixir Ultime Oil, with its shine-enhancing, strengthening, and softening properties, would be one of Moore’s go-tos.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Harris voted for original law in 2017 but said Monday that the strengthening legislation took too much from cities looking to keep workers nearby.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Israeli military killed Iran’s intelligence minister, the latest senior Iranian figure to be assassinated in Israel’s intensifying campaign to destabilize the Islamic Republic.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Competition in live sports is intensifying, however.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The bootcut shape is leg-elongating, while the back seams and pockets add a butt-lifting effect.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
-
And for the president when he’s criticized about lifting the sanctions on Russia, to somehow turn around and blame Zelenskyy, blame Ukraine.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This is an increase from the 31 arrests made during the same period last year.—
Bri Buckley,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
That represents an increase of nearly 2,000 spectators per outing, which equates to a 7% rise compared with the same point in 2024-25.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The impact of the war in the Middle East is deepening in economies far beyond the region as energy prices spike, forcing experts to reassess the risk of a global recession.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Díaz-Canel acknowledged last week that his government is in talks with Washington, a rare public admission that came as Cuba faces deepening economic turmoil and energy shortages.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Rochester Township Council held its regular meeting on Thursday evening, and it was packed with people who were raising concerns about chemical odors lingering in their neighborhood.—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Federal officers have used administrative warrants to do so, raising concerns that constitutional protections are being skirted.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Certainly the government has a role to play in helping synagogues, churches, mosques, schools and others in putting up security barriers, training security officers and those physical security enhancements.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
While this may confine a human’s dream of immortality to solutions that rely on technological enhancements, bio-hacking your body, or science-fiction level technology that relies on novel physical laws and/or phenomena, there’s still plenty that relativity has to say about living forever.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Waterloo Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the natural and cultural resources of Waterloo Park.—
Billboard Staff,
Billboard,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Shapermint creates thoughtful designs, focusing on enhancing the body while maintaining breathability and comfort.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightening. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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