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
George Yang, PC Magazine, 11 June 2026
Tones of silver as well as green and red added further contrast to the tone of the dress while heightening the whimsical aesthetic.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 June 2026
Today's top stories Israel and Iran committed yesterday to stop attacking each other, just hours after exchanging missile fire and heightening tensions across the Middle East.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 June 2026
Tensions between Iran and Israel have been heightening over Lebanon, said Maziar Motamedi at Al Jazeera.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 8 June 2026
Many successful activists, however, have achieved their goals by heightening the contrast between words and weapons.
—Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
Mars in Gemini, however, turns up the heat, heightening your desires and sense of self-worth.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
At least three attacks have been recorded against health centers in Ituri province as residents protested stringent medical protocols that clashed with local burial rites, heightening the danger health workers face.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Germany’s gas grid operators are calling for sweeping changes to the way storage refills are encouraged, warning that stubbornly low inventory levels are heightening the risk of supply shortages ahead of winter.
—Petra Sorge, Bloomberg, 27 May 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
The gameplay will feel smooth and tactile, heightening your immersion.
—George Yang, PC Magazine, 11 June 2026
Tones of silver as well as green and red added further contrast to the tone of the dress while heightening the whimsical aesthetic.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 June 2026
Today's top stories Israel and Iran committed yesterday to stop attacking each other, just hours after exchanging missile fire and heightening tensions across the Middle East.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 June 2026
Tensions between Iran and Israel have been heightening over Lebanon, said Maziar Motamedi at Al Jazeera.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 8 June 2026
Many successful activists, however, have achieved their goals by heightening the contrast between words and weapons.
—Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
Mars in Gemini, however, turns up the heat, heightening your desires and sense of self-worth.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
At least three attacks have been recorded against health centers in Ituri province as residents protested stringent medical protocols that clashed with local burial rites, heightening the danger health workers face.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Germany’s gas grid operators are calling for sweeping changes to the way storage refills are encouraged, warning that stubbornly low inventory levels are heightening the risk of supply shortages ahead of winter.
—Petra Sorge, Bloomberg, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightening
Noun
-
Ouchi recommends constant physical strengthening, specifically weight lifting.—
Adaira Landry,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
After adding my hair growth favorites to your cart, check out more of the brand's strengthening and growth-boosting formulas.—
Isabel Bekele,
InStyle,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, the pace of technological change is accelerating, and global competition is intensifying.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
-
The upward pressure is intensifying this week as derivatives and other kinds of secondary financial instruments related to SpaceX go live.—
Tobias Burns,
CNBC,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Video taken by a member of the audience shows Swift rising from her seat and lifting her arms high above her head to give an enthusiastic standing ovation during the curtain call.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
-
The first touched down in Lady Lake, lifting roofs off homes and overturning mobile homes.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 June 2026
-
When models frequently access fragmented systems, latency increases and user experience suffers.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Inside Ecole National Republique de Colombie in the Turgeau neighborhood where 1,246 individuals live in squalor, residents uprooted by gangs described lives defined by deepening hunger and increasingly inhumane conditions.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
-
Alo, the fashion and wellness brand best known for its athleisure, is deepening its beauty offering with two introductions.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
So, climbing one rung higher and losing to a different team will lead to raising the Cup?—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
-
Elon Musk's mega-conglomerate SpaceX made history on Thursday, raising $75 billion in the biggest initial public offering on record.—
John Ruwitch,
NPR,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Curley’s project focused primarily on bunker renovation and realignment, tee expansion and leveling, green size restorations, and green surround enhancements.—
Scott Kramer,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
The $650,000 enhancement was two years in the making and replaced the center’s original aviary, built in 1979, which sustained damage from hurricanes in 2024.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Layered cuts and bangs can add dimension and reduce weight, enhancing the overall look of thick hair.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
-
The district’s priorities include sustaining full-day kindergarten in all elementary schools, providing free breakfast for all students, enhancing mental health training and resources for students and staff, expanding career technical education and opening new pre-K centers.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightening. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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