1
as in to intensify
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 to lift
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 heighten
The cancelation coincides with ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the nation, which have heightened fears within Latin communities, as well as visa issues for international artists and concerns about potential threats to audiences from ICE enforcement.
—
Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
The assassination in September 2025 of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has heightened attention on the relationship between political rhetoric and political violence.
—Gregory P. Magarian, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
The fixation on a single dream school narrows opportunity, heightens stress, and sometimes backfires.
—Jeffrey Selingo, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
The ambiguity of those sentiments has heightened the partisan blame game — and has given both sides an incentive to hold the line until a clearer picture emerges.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heighten
Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
The assassination in September 2025 of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has heightened attention on the relationship between political rhetoric and political violence.
—Gregory P. Magarian, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
The fixation on a single dream school narrows opportunity, heightens stress, and sometimes backfires.
—Jeffrey Selingo, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
The ambiguity of those sentiments has heightened the partisan blame game — and has given both sides an incentive to hold the line until a clearer picture emerges.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heighten
Verb
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Padrino also accused Washington of sharply intensifying aerial surveillance of Venezuela, citing a surge in spy flights last month.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
9 Oct. 2025
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And, as the first phase of his Gaza peace plan makes headway, the focus on the prospect of him winning is intensifying.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The fragrance opens with this bright, fizzy combination of raspberry, orange flower, and mandarin that immediately lifts your mood.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
10 Oct. 2025
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Eight, maybe nine years removed from swiping worms from the corner store and lifting loose change from cars in the mall parking lot.—
Allen Iverson,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Keney innovations include RibbonFET, a new transistor architecture enabling efficient scaling, and PowerVia, a backside power delivery system enhancing energy flow.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Oct. 2025
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Cal Fire helicopter pilots will be training over three nights, starting Thursday, in the Sacramento area using night-vision goggles to enhance their ability to fight wildfires in the dark.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After the Browns traded veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals earlier this week, fans and pundits speculated whether Sanders would even be elevated to the second-string job, or remain in the third-string role behind Bailey Zappe.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
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Trocheck was elevated to alternate status after taking on many captain duties without the formal title last season, enshrining the Pittsburgh youth hockey legends as the leading voices in New York’s locker room.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The following year, several lawmakers were accused of failing to report income or disclose kickbacks, deepening public frustration.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
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The board’s challenge lies in deepening their expertise while being intentional about protecting their bandwidth given the sheer volume of information and pace of change.—
Lara Abrash,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In November, Jackson terminated Gatlin for swindling millions of dollars from the Foundation as executives privately reeled over her betrayal of the hospital system’s fundraising arm, which raises tens of millions to benefit Jackson’s patients.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
12 Oct. 2025
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Experts at Sweetbriar said the effort was not just about saving one insect but also about raising awareness.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ukrainian leader Zelenskyy said in his nightly address Sunday that Kyiv was working closely with the White House to strengthen its defensive capabilities, including its long-range capabilities.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
13 Oct. 2025
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Oakland voters, meanwhile, overwhelmingly favored establishing the commission in 2016 and strengthening its authority in 2020.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning actress known for a prolific career in uplifting comedies, a quirky sense of fashion, and a penchant for drinking red wine with ice cubes, has died at the age of 79.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
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The supermodel also founded the Luz Foundation, which supports projects uplifting women and children, as well as initiatives in education, health, and the environment.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heighten. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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