1
as in intensifies
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lifts
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of heightens
The ad was shot on vintage tube cameras from the '80s, giving it a tactile, analog feel that heightens the retro disco energy.
—
Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Spending time in nature reduces stress, improves memory, and heightens creativity.
—Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Jan. 2026
Throughout his nearly two-year Love On Tour, Styles’ live band became part of his showman persona; their absence heightens the song’s melancholy and intimacy.
—Heven Haile, Pitchfork, 23 Jan. 2026
Venus moving into Aquarius heightens your magnetism.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 17 Jan. 2026
The council will then decide which proposals, if any, advance to the ballot — a step critics say further heightens the need for transparency at the commission level.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 17 Jan. 2026
The single and music video, which features David Foster on piano and The Christ Church Choir on background vocals, further heightens the original’s uplifting essence.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 16 Jan. 2026
Mangold has a showy falsetto that heightens Noah’s vulnerable longing, but the duets with Cheers’ Allie aren’t lyrically sophisticated enough to provide the relationship with much depth.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Companies have been bolstering identity security defenses as AI heightens the sophistication of cyberattacks.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026
Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Spending time in nature reduces stress, improves memory, and heightens creativity.
—Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Jan. 2026
Throughout his nearly two-year Love On Tour, Styles’ live band became part of his showman persona; their absence heightens the song’s melancholy and intimacy.
—Heven Haile, Pitchfork, 23 Jan. 2026
Venus moving into Aquarius heightens your magnetism.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 17 Jan. 2026
The council will then decide which proposals, if any, advance to the ballot — a step critics say further heightens the need for transparency at the commission level.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 17 Jan. 2026
The single and music video, which features David Foster on piano and The Christ Church Choir on background vocals, further heightens the original’s uplifting essence.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 16 Jan. 2026
Mangold has a showy falsetto that heightens Noah’s vulnerable longing, but the duets with Cheers’ Allie aren’t lyrically sophisticated enough to provide the relationship with much depth.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Companies have been bolstering identity security defenses as AI heightens the sophistication of cyberattacks.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightens
Verb
-
Driving a backup car after crashing in the Duels intensifies Byron’s challenge to three-peat.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Feb. 2026
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Nigerian energy companies have ramped up oil production over the past year as the government intensifies its efforts to restart dormant refineries and monetize untapped gas reserves.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After the fog lifts this morning, skies across the area will stay cloudy to mostly cloudy.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The House bill, and its Senate counterpart, Senate Bill 594, which passed on Wednesday, lifts that restriction.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Through a nuanced use of light, the film enhances emotional expression and brings each character’s vivid journey to life.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The bittersweet musical numbers lend all the characters — even the comic-relief ones — some modicum of humanity, and Latif’s playful visual style enhances the ironic elements of the tale.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The magic of this bag is in its subtle details, which transforms and elevates it above the standard tote.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
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Time elevates those people and their deeds to the heights of deities, and American gods must be faultless.—
Adam Harris,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This, in turn, deepens the impression of Downtown as a dangerous place.—
Emily Galvin Almanza,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Set during the Second Intifada, the shows how the two kids form a bond that deepens under the guidance of Dan, a 30-year-old former surf champion who becomes their mentor.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As more than 10 nations in Europe are participating in the F-35 program, this raises concerns related to Trump’s tariff-heavy diplomacy.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
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The increasing integration of blockchain and the finance industry raises uncomfortable questions of whether crypto is betraying its founding ideals, which saw Bitcoin as a rebellion against the big bank and government control of the financial system.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Civil discourse strengthens democracy.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Feb. 2026
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Masashi Kitazawa, professor of Environmental & Occupational Health at UC Irvine, said the study further strengthens the possible causal link between particulate matter and Alzheimer's disease.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This could take the form of an especially enjoyable trip full of interesting conversations, a spiritual experience that uplifts you, or learning that stimulates your mind.—
Steph Koyfman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Jan. 2026
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For each of you talk about making music that uplifts because there are so many great jazz standards that have the point of lifting up the world.—
Steve Baltin,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightens. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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