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

The real heightening of this support, though, came four years later. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 July 2026

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 remarks drew activist groups to rally outside WNBA games, heightening tensions inside arenas, and became grist for MAGA influencers such as competitive swimmer turned political activist Riley Gaines. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Gradually, the story’s impact started to affect Eckert, with every passing day heightening the scrutiny. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Today, the moon continues its journey through its domicile, Cancer, heightening everything from our intuition to our innermost feelings — memories from the past and emotional sensitivities are no exception. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026

Duke Energy and data center power Data centers are heightening electricity demand, Duke Energy said in a February earnings report. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 6 Aug. 2026

The threat expanded on the Yemeni militant group’s call Monday to close off the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Saudi ships, heightening the risk for vessels passing through the channel. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 21 July 2026

The editing rhythms are clipped and almost metronomically precise; individual scenes feel less composed than synthesized from an array of swift, gestural fragments—a hand on a doorknob, a face at the window—which have the effect of heightening your attention. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 June 2026

Meanwhile, more companies are laying off workers and investing in AI instead, heightening concerns about the technology's impact on jobs. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 25 June 2026

Like its predecessor 30 Rock, that constant patter defines the show’s tone by heightening its world into near absurdity, all while remaining grounded in the emotional realities of its characters. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 19 June 2026