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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of heighten
The announcement ends heightened speculation in recent days that the longtime Democrat would soon announce her intention to draw her congressional career to a close after 38 years.
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Cnn.com, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025
Blue Cowboy’s pairing of Cale’s narrator and Will the cowboy — so handsome, so soulful, so repressed as to be nearly fantastical — heightens your awareness of the class and political divides at play.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
The emphasis on a candidate's identity was particularly heightened in this race -- something that has been embraced by Mamdani's campaign and supporters, but attacked by his opponents.
—Emily Chang, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2025
The low humidity combine with wind gusts early next week has heightened the possibility of wildfires in the Central and Northern Mountains and the Piedmont, the National Weather Service says.
—Mark Price
november 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heighten
Verb
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For immigration advocates in the Bay Area, Good’s death has intensified long-standing concerns about intimidation and retaliation against those who monitor federal agents.—
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The chaos intensified after someone threw a snowball.—
Verb
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Once the polish is fully dry and hardened, use a credit card or your fingers to lift under the blob and break it off.—
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Matthew Stafford threw a 19-yard go-ahead touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds to lift the Los Angeles Rams to a dramatic 34-31 wild-card round win over the Carolina Panthers in the opening game of the NFL playoffs on Saturday.—
Verb
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Titanium dioxide materials and high-refractive-index lenses further enhance light absorption.—
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These features are further enhanced by technology that adapts to individual preferences, such as smart shower controls and lighting systems tailored to each user.—
Verb
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Recently, researchers have made a major leap forward by engineering a novel cathode material that dramatically elevates performance, bringing us closer to practical, high-efficiency thermal energy systems.—
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These ones elevate the trend — pun intended — with comfortable platform soles and double side stripe appliqués.—
Verb
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Grappling hooks, 30-foot ladder The Sigourney Street tower’s decline began deepening in 2024 with the proliferation of graffiti and tagging, much of which was later removed from the brick exterior.—
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Tensions between China and Japan are deepening as a diplomatic row over Taiwan morphs into an urgent economic conflict.—
Verb
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Wanda Sykes made sure that comedian Ricky Gervais — a comedian whose past material raised eyebrows and allegations of transphobia — shared his big 2026 Golden Globes night with a higher power and the transgender community.—
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One of them, fist raised to the sky, let out a long yell, the hoarse shout of a gold panner.—
Verb
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That voice continued to echo during Tuesday’s meeting as environmental advocates are moving to strengthen the Marine Protected Area network and coastlines.—
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Even short bouts of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, can lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, boost mood and strengthen the heart.—
Verb
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The transition to the E-130J reflects a broader trend in uplifting legacy strategic communication systems to platforms that can better accommodate evolving technology, threats, and mission requirements.—
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From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music.—
Cite this Entry
“Heighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heighten. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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