1
as in intensifies
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 lifts
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 heightens
Mangold has a showy falsetto that heightens Noah’s vulnerable longing, but the duets with Cheers’ Allie aren’t lyrically sophisticated enough to provide the relationship with much depth.
—
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Companies have been bolstering identity security defenses as AI heightens the sophistication of cyberattacks.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026
Georgia continues to expand cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies — a policy that immigrant rights groups argue heightens the risk of escalation during routine community interactions.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Bombarded by Hallmark holiday movies and TV ads of picture-perfect families in matching pajamas only heightens the pressure, Cassano said.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
When severe turbulence heightens her fear of flying, the man sitting beside her offers his thermos, filled with vodka and watermelon juice.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
The Super Full Moon in Cancer heightens our feelings and offers security.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 19 Dec. 2025
The constriction leads to spikes in blood pressure and heightens a diabetic person’s risk of heart disease.
—Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
The proximity of Skochilenko and her accuser heightens the film’s sense of tragedy, the almost accidental way that lives collide and shatter—a phenomenon that can happen with terrifying ease in wartime Russia.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightens
Verb
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The Arctic competition intensifies as Russia boosts military presence and China declares itself a ‘near-Arctic state,’ making Greenland crucial for North American defense.—
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Two days later, Mars conjunct Pluto in your fourth house intensifies emotional undercurrents tied to family, home, or old survival patterns.—
Verb
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The seat cushion lifts up to reveal a storage compartment for a secret spot to keep books, blankets, and other items.—
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That law also lifts Illinois’ nearly four-decade ban on new base-load nuclear power plants.—
Verb
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Her go-to is the Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit, a $35 at-home hair color box that conceals 100 percent of stubborn grays and enhances shine.—
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The denim industry has found an appreciation for linen and how the fiber enhances and refines what is traditionally considered to be a tough and rugged fabric.—
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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Though Robby Hoddinott was responsible for the track’s prickly guitar lead, the backing of bassist-pal Dave Torbert from New Riders of the Purple Sage elevates Weir and the song’s rhythmic bottom to something uplifting and downright prancy.—
Verb
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Continue reading … FOOD FIGHT – McRib mystery deepens as McDonald's is sued over what's really inside.—
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However, shares could surge as Uber deepens its foray into AV technology, offering an opportunity to improve its margins.—
Verb
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That extraordinary footage, along with video shot by bystanders and a 3D model created by CNN of the confrontation, shows Good and her wife challenging ICE officers – but also raises new questions about Ross’s tactics and decision to use deadly force.—
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In a statement, Stanford student and Drop the Charges organizer Mark Allen Cu said the case raises broader questions about free speech and dissent on campus.—
Verb
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Key Takeaways Calcium builds and strengthens bones, while vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.—
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Perhaps witnessing that transformation strengthens its usefulness to others.—
Verb
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Creating a brand that uplifts underrepresented communities is my proudest accomplishment.—
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The first-time head coach was hired last year by Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin and has created a culture of collective effort that uplifts that defense.—
Cite this Entry
“Heightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightens. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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