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
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
Georgia continues to expand cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies — a policy that immigrant rights groups argue heightens the risk of escalation during routine community interactions.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Bombarded by Hallmark holiday movies and TV ads of picture-perfect families in matching pajamas only heightens the pressure, Cassano said.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
When severe turbulence heightens her fear of flying, the man sitting beside her offers his thermos, filled with vodka and watermelon juice.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
The Super Full Moon in Cancer heightens our feelings and offers security.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 19 Dec. 2025
The constriction leads to spikes in blood pressure and heightens a diabetic person’s risk of heart disease.
—Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
The proximity of Skochilenko and her accuser heightens the film’s sense of tragedy, the almost accidental way that lives collide and shatter—a phenomenon that can happen with terrifying ease in wartime Russia.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025
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
Georgia continues to expand cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies — a policy that immigrant rights groups argue heightens the risk of escalation during routine community interactions.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Bombarded by Hallmark holiday movies and TV ads of picture-perfect families in matching pajamas only heightens the pressure, Cassano said.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
When severe turbulence heightens her fear of flying, the man sitting beside her offers his thermos, filled with vodka and watermelon juice.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
The Super Full Moon in Cancer heightens our feelings and offers security.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 19 Dec. 2025
The constriction leads to spikes in blood pressure and heightens a diabetic person’s risk of heart disease.
—Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
The proximity of Skochilenko and her accuser heightens the film’s sense of tragedy, the almost accidental way that lives collide and shatter—a phenomenon that can happen with terrifying ease in wartime Russia.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightens
Verb
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The Arctic competition intensifies as Russia boosts military presence and China declares itself a ‘near-Arctic state,’ making Greenland crucial for North American defense.—
Danica Kirka,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Two days later, Mars conjunct Pluto in your fourth house intensifies emotional undercurrents tied to family, home, or old survival patterns.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In extremely dense fog, drivers are advised to turn on their hazard lights, pull over into a safe place, and if that’s on the side of the road or hard shoulder—turn off all lights except the hazards, engage the hand brake, and wait until the fog lifts.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Snap beats revenue expectations and lifts guidance.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Her go-to is the Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit, a $35 at-home hair color box that conceals 100 percent of stubborn grays and enhances shine.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The denim industry has found an appreciation for linen and how the fiber enhances and refines what is traditionally considered to be a tough and rugged fabric.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Gift with Taste 672 elevates gifting with flexible deliveries of Napa’s most exceptional reds, handpicked by Robb Report editors.—
Kathryn O’Shea-Evans,
Robb Report,
8 Nov. 2025
-
This emphasis on both design purity and technical refinement elevates the Sweptail beyond a typical bespoke build.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Continue reading … FOOD FIGHT – McRib mystery deepens as McDonald's is sued over what's really inside.—
,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
-
However, shares could surge as Uber deepens its foray into AV technology, offering an opportunity to improve its margins.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That extraordinary footage, along with video shot by bystanders and a 3D model created by CNN of the confrontation, shows Good and her wife challenging ICE officers – but also raises new questions about Ross’s tactics and decision to use deadly force.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
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In a statement, Stanford student and Drop the Charges organizer Mark Allen Cu said the case raises broader questions about free speech and dissent on campus.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Key Takeaways Calcium builds and strengthens bones, while vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.—
T'Keyah Bazin,
Verywell Health,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Perhaps witnessing that transformation strengthens its usefulness to others.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Creating a brand that uplifts underrepresented communities is my proudest accomplishment.—
Essence,
Essence,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The first-time head coach was hired last year by Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin and has created a culture of collective effort that uplifts that defense.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightens. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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