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
Sometimes these shifts are small, noticeable only to the character experiencing them, as when an impending hurricane heightens the narrator’s receptivity to the minor mysteries of humble objects.
—
Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
And casting Sarah Michelle in that part heightens all of that.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
The trick, and what makes the show special, is that the absurdity somehow heightens the very real, very consequential reporting at its core.
—Josh Tyrangiel, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2026
This approach echoes the idea of compression and release in architecture, where a smaller or more intimate space heightens the experience of moving into a larger room.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 15 Mar. 2026
Set in London and Spain, the story unfolds across six episodes — Wright directed the first three — and cleverly heightens the tensions sometimes experienced in in-law relationships.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
Inflation The war only heightens the importance of the upcoming inflation data.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
Blackhurst gives it all a DIY feel and that further heightens the homespun, backwoods madness that ensues.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Barring a change of heart from the NHL, the Senators won’t have theirs, which heightens the urgency to push for a playoff spot despite all of the Atlantic Division teams ahead of them.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2026
Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
And casting Sarah Michelle in that part heightens all of that.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
The trick, and what makes the show special, is that the absurdity somehow heightens the very real, very consequential reporting at its core.
—Josh Tyrangiel, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2026
This approach echoes the idea of compression and release in architecture, where a smaller or more intimate space heightens the experience of moving into a larger room.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 15 Mar. 2026
Set in London and Spain, the story unfolds across six episodes — Wright directed the first three — and cleverly heightens the tensions sometimes experienced in in-law relationships.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
Inflation The war only heightens the importance of the upcoming inflation data.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
Blackhurst gives it all a DIY feel and that further heightens the homespun, backwoods madness that ensues.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Barring a change of heart from the NHL, the Senators won’t have theirs, which heightens the urgency to push for a playoff spot despite all of the Atlantic Division teams ahead of them.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightens
Verb
-
Researchers have long recognized that climate change intensifies heat waves.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Chronic low back or sciatic pain that intensifies monthly may be treated as a musculoskeletal problem.—
Sarah Berg,
STAT,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Pivotal moments Once the countdown hits zero and the towering Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft lifts off, Blackwell-Thompson hands over to Jeff Radigan, Artemis II lead flight director at Mission Control Center at Johnson Space Center in Houston.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
-
To, be in this moment where, uh, the audience lifts out of themselves and comes into a collective state of feeling.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Jovy views emerging technology not as a replacement for creativity but as a tool that enhances it.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The transformation in Broward County proves that embracing innovation enhances safety.—
Ian Cohen,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Every inch of Weese’s design is monumental and extraordinary, but it was created in service to a public transportation system that elevates the daily lives of its users in the most democratic way.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
-
His slider is considered average by most evaluators but could be a pitch that elevates Santos into a better position if it’s tightened up.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile the airport crisis deepens.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Those words — simple, direct, enduring — carry the unmistakable weight of a lesson passed down from parent to child, one that only deepens in meaning with loss.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When working, pick tools that feel good to use, and pay attention to how your schedule raises or lowers stress.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Warm water raises skin temperature, and the core temperature drop after stepping out signals the brain to release melatonin.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Security strengthens as finance-conscious Venus conjoins fertile Chiron in your 2nd House of Logistics, bolstering your capacity to be practical without losing that characteristic Pisces whimsy.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Tschacher and colleagues showed in 2024 that music can align listeners’ physiological responses and attention patterns—and that even when people aren’t feeling exactly the same emotion, the synchronicity of their reactions alone strengthens the sense of shared experience.—
Yook JiHun,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Curiosity and discipline pair up as the exuberant Sun uplifts accountable Saturn in your 9th House of Observation, asking for purposeful exploration today.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
-
As clever Mercury uplifts Mars in your 10th House of Professionality, the universe clears space for you to pitch ideas, request resources, or lead a project.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightens. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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