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
Halle Bailey is stunning as Ariel and casting a Black girl as one of their most iconic princesses heightened the film’s appeal as a Little Mermaid for a new generation.
—
Staff Author, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Yet, at its core, it was purpose-built for rugby, with the goal of heightening the intense, electric atmosphere that defines the Sevens, said Paul Henry, a senior principal at Populous, the architecture firm behind the sports park.
—Andrew McNicol, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
For some, Paul Weiss' agreement, announced late Thursday in a Trump post on Truth Social, heightened those concerns.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
His family said the handling of his death by the coroner heightened their concern about the transparency and accountability with the case, according to the group.
—Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heighten
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Staff Author, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Yet, at its core, it was purpose-built for rugby, with the goal of heightening the intense, electric atmosphere that defines the Sevens, said Paul Henry, a senior principal at Populous, the architecture firm behind the sports park.
—Andrew McNicol, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
For some, Paul Weiss' agreement, announced late Thursday in a Trump post on Truth Social, heightened those concerns.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
His family said the handling of his death by the coroner heightened their concern about the transparency and accountability with the case, according to the group.
—Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 19 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 28 Mar. 2025.
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