heightened; heightening
ˈhī-tᵊn-iŋ 
ˈhīt-niŋ
1
2
a
: to raise high or higher : elevate
b
: to raise above the ordinary or trite
3
obsolete
: elate
2
a
: to become great or greater in amount, degree, or extent
b
: to become brighter or more intense
Examples of heighten in a Sentence
The plan will only heighten tensions between the two groups.
This tragedy has heightened our awareness of the need for improved safety measures.
Tensions between the two groups have heightened.
Recent Examples on the Web
The information technology sector of the S & P 500 suffered keenly as the stock market swooned amid investors’ heightening fears of a recession.
—
Alex Harring, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2025
The postponement of a key CDC vaccine advisory meeting, as well as the cancellation of a Food and Drug Administration advisory meeting to select the next strain of flu vaccine have only heightened anxiety.
—Tina Reed, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025
Economic warning signals have increasingly been tripped in recent weeks as the Trump administration’s sweeping policy changes across major areas of the economy have heightened uncertainty.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
Speculation is swirling in the subcontinent, potentially heightening the stakes of the final.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heighten
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Alex Harring, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2025
The postponement of a key CDC vaccine advisory meeting, as well as the cancellation of a Food and Drug Administration advisory meeting to select the next strain of flu vaccine have only heightened anxiety.
—Tina Reed, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025
Economic warning signals have increasingly been tripped in recent weeks as the Trump administration’s sweeping policy changes across major areas of the economy have heightened uncertainty.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
Speculation is swirling in the subcontinent, potentially heightening the stakes of the final.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heighten
Cite this Entry
“Heighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heighten. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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