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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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
Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
While lower costs could boost margins for existing developers, the technology will also lower barriers to entry, potentially heightening competition.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
What Everyone’s Reading The US is waiting for a response from Iran before peace talks can restart, with the impasse in their war and heightening tension over the Strait of Hormuz causing energy prices to rise again.
—Peter Martin, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026
The monochrome treatment emphasizes silhouette, proportion and shadow, allowing form and texture to take precedence while heightening the sensory experience.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026
The mistake also comes amid heightening tension between sports streamers and more legacy sports media companies.
—Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Soyfer said Flock cameras are often near sensitive facilities, heightening the privacy concern that people could be tracked on those streets.
—Kevin Collier, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
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
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
Meanwhile, his ex-wife—played by Field—becomes increasingly self-reliant, heightening the strain between them.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
While lower costs could boost margins for existing developers, the technology will also lower barriers to entry, potentially heightening competition.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
What Everyone’s Reading The US is waiting for a response from Iran before peace talks can restart, with the impasse in their war and heightening tension over the Strait of Hormuz causing energy prices to rise again.
—Peter Martin, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026
The monochrome treatment emphasizes silhouette, proportion and shadow, allowing form and texture to take precedence while heightening the sensory experience.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026
The mistake also comes amid heightening tension between sports streamers and more legacy sports media companies.
—Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Soyfer said Flock cameras are often near sensitive facilities, heightening the privacy concern that people could be tracked on those streets.
—Kevin Collier, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightening
Noun
-
The initiative will also support developing countries through outreach such as training, advisory services and institutional strengthening.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Adelphi offers policy proposals across the IP spectrum that are meant to counterbalance the international strengthening of IP laws, regulations, and enforcement.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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These pressures are only intensifying as the AI boom moves from software into physical infrastructure, and demand for computing capacity grows exponentially.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
-
Ken Griffin and Zohran Mamdani's latest feud is intensifying after the billionaire said NYC's mayor put him in harm's way for including his penthouse in a video last month to promote his newest tax initiative.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Tasks that must be completed quickly and require complex dexterity will be better suited to humans, whereas repetitive actions that include, for example, lifting heavy objects and low safety environments will be best for robots.—
Dr. Jonathan Reichental,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
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Only two years ago, Madrid were lifting their record-extending 15th Champions League title at Wembley while some voices around the squad were telling The Athletic the dressing room was one of the most united in years.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Many questions from the fair rent commission members on Saturday focused on Sun Communities’ profits compared to the cost of the rent increase to residents.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
County voters have overwhelmingly approved sales-tax increases to fund Metro projects.—
Oren Peleg,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Verb
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These spillover effects are deepening an arc of instability stretching from Europe to the Middle East, from Africa to Asia.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
While announcing Jacobson’s hiring, Stagwell said her responsibilities will include expanding ReachTV’s footprint and deepening its content partnerships.—
Sportico Staff,
Sportico.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Since the event’s conception in 2013, more than 60,000 donors have helped hundreds of nonprofit organizations in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties raising more than $117 million, according to the Sacramento Region Community Foundation.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
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Clark’s legal team has also highlighted the role of the lead detective in the case, who was later convicted in an unrelated matter involving perjury and evidence tampering, further raising questions about the original investigation.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Noun
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In-room massage services range from deep tissue and reflexology to prenatal care and warm basalt stone treatments, with customizable enhancements like Moroccan oil scalp massages.—
Susmita Baral,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
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At the time of her death, Broderick was serving a sentence of 32 years to life with the possibility of parole after being convicted in 1991 of two counts of second-degree murder and firearm enhancements.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
The Boys uncover evidence that Vought has been covertly administering the performance-enhancing chemical mixture called Compound V to newborns to manufacture Supes.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
5 May 2026
-
It can even be grown in containers, enhancing beauty without taking up too much space.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightening. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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