as in increased
being at a higher level than average
there were heightened levels of lead in the drinking water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in intensified
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lifted
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 heightened
Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
The incident occurred shortly after midnight on Monday and comes amid heightened concern over political violence in the US.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
Walz, 61, said the heightened focus on fraud investigations into Minnesota's social services programs influenced his decision to drop out of the race.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Moir recalls trying to navigate the heightened emotions that come with elite-level competition with Virtue, even as people made assumptions about their relationship.
—Alice Park, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
The move greatly expands the federal law enforcement footprint in Minnesota at a time of heightened political and community tension there.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Residents in parts of La Guaira state, along Venezuela’s central Caribbean coast and home to the country’s main port and international airport, also reported hearing explosions and observing heightened security movements.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
Tesla faces heightened competition in the electric vehicle market from China’s BYD, South Korea’s Kia and Hyundai, and Volkswagen in Europe, among others.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2026
The slide came despite heightened preseason optimism sparked by the arrival of transfer quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 30 Dec. 2025
Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
Exercise heightened caution during this period.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Urgency is heightened after the franchise tasted success and quickly lost it again.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
European leaders’ concerns were heightened following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
—Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, look about you, because your ability to appreciate your daily surroundings is heightened.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
The only thing that is new is the obsession with anti-aging and heightened beauty standards.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
Runners could chart the best course, a challenge heightened by the fact that the Boston Red Sox were playing at home that night.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
Having that rejection at the beginning of the movie sets the tone for my character where everything is just heightened.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Every move by Weiss has received heightened scrutiny since she was given editorial control over CBS News in October.
—Verb
Emmer has been a staunch opponent of Walz for some time, whose antagonism for the governor heightened once Walz became the vice presidential running mate to former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightened
Adjective
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However, there was no increased risk of liver problems, which is often a concern with statin use.—
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In 1905 and growing in parishioners, the existing church created the Holly street location to accommodate its increased popularity.—
Verb
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Pockets of protests erupting across Iran over the past week have intensified pressure on a dysfunctional government struggling to manage a spiraling economic crisis.—
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The Justice Department has intensified efforts to investigate fraud in the state after a social media video shared by YouTuber Nick Shirley went viral right before New Year's Day.—
Verb
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By Saturday the ban was lifted, but several vacationers were forced into extended vacations waiting for their next trip home.—
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Or at least the craziest until Malinin began doing on ice back flips during the 2024-25 season after the International Skating Union, the sport’s global governing body, lifted a ban on the stunt.—
Adjective
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Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.—
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Kirkpatrick informed the Kowalskis that those suffering from CRPS often show elevated levels of glutamate, an amino acid, which can be inhibited by ketamine infusions.—
Verb
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When the results came back benign, Reece’s anxiety only deepened.—
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When oil prices slid and mismanagement came due, the country staggered into hyperinflation, shortages, and mass migration, culminating in a full‑blown humanitarian crisis that outlived Chávez and deepened under his successor, Nicolás Maduro.—
Verb
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Republicans, who hold a super-minority in the Legislature and have long raised concerns about taxes and regulations overburdening California businesses, will likely oppose any tax bills.—
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Funds raised during the 2025 Grammy Awards telecast, MusiCares’ Persons of the Year event and additional fundraising efforts were used to help deal with housing instability, interrupted income, physical health complications and ongoing trauma.—
Adjective
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Never use your high-beam lights.—
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The team had started the season on a losing streak, and tensions were high.—
Verb
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The team enhanced the design using small-molecule amidinium ligands.—
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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.—
Cite this Entry
“Heightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightened. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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