heighten

verb

height·​en ˈhī-tᵊn How to pronounce heighten (audio)
heightened; heightening ˈhī-tᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce heighten (audio)
ˈhīt-niŋ

transitive verb

1
a
: to increase the amount or degree of : augment
b
: to make brighter or more intense : deepen
c
: to bring out more strongly : point up
d
: to make more acute : sharpen
2
a
: to raise high or higher : elevate
b
: to raise above the ordinary or trite
3
obsolete : elate

intransitive verb

1
archaic : grow, rise
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The new financial stresses have heightened market uncertainty over the value of Florida condos, especially those older than 30 years that have to meet the new state standards. Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025 Source: Nielsen Nielsen also pointed out the effect Netflix has had in heightening interest in programs still airing on other platforms. Brad Adgate, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025 Recent incidents have heightened perceptions of downtown safety concerns, including a stabbing spree in January in which an attacker stabbed four strangers, killing two. Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 2 Apr. 2025 This uncertainty has started to show up in some sluggish economic data, which further pressured stocks by heightening recession fears. John Melloy,pia Singh, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heighten

Word History

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of heighten was in 1523

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Heighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heighten. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

heighten

verb
height·​en ˈhīt-ᵊn How to pronounce heighten (audio)
heightened; heightening ˈhīt-niŋ How to pronounce heighten (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
1
: to make or become brighter or greater
heightened the citizens' awareness
2
: to raise high or higher : elevate

More from Merriam-Webster on heighten

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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