heightens

verb

present tense third-person singular of heighten
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

Relevance

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of heightens That heightens the stakes for chairman Warsh, who has expressed a preference for fewer words at a time when investors may prefer clearer communication. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 Call it transcendental, the character’s deepening sense of luminosity, the way his empathy heightens as his consciousness expands. — David L. Ulin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026 The diamond-set is further enhanced by the two cultured pearls, with a design that heightens sculpture and lightness. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026 Subverting the unassuming realism of the city with the twisted unreality of this level design not only heightens the uncanny factor but also unlocks more design creativity. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026 These demands are not likely to ease as football becomes more obsessed with physicality, so, from an Arsenal perspective, the importance of not overloading their right-backs only heightens. — Art De Roché, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 Born to rule the room, Mars in Leo heightens our visibility and confidence in leadership roles, which is a reminder to turn up the sparkle and embrace your personal brand. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026 Volatile, headstrong, and brimming with wild-eyed passive-aggression, the actor’s performance heightens the wall situation from a neighborly dispute to the stuff of a biblical trial. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026 Cinematographer Kim Ji-yong’s camera never intrudes, lending grace and honesty to the character studies, while Jung Jae-il’s ravishing piano and string score heightens the emotions without becoming manipulative. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightens
  1. intensifies
  2. lifts
  3. enhances
  4. elevates
  5. deepens
  6. raises
  7. strengthens
  8. uplifts
Verb
  • The dispute unfolds as Russia intensifies attacks across Ukraine and as Kyiv presses Western allies for more interceptors, while new diplomatic efforts seek to end the war.
    — Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • If the war with Iran intensifies again, foreign executives will be reluctant to even visit Saudi Arabia, let alone invest in it.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of intensifies
Verb
  • The win got Frosinone back on track after a 3-0 loss to Napoli last weekend and lifts it into fifth place in the Serie A table.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Victory lifts Shakhtar to 11th in the early league-phase table, behind Bayern Munich on goal difference and ahead of both Manchester City and Manchester United.
    — Simon Johnson, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of lifts
Verb
  • The aluminum model enhances the tactile experience with the cool sensation of metal rather than plastic.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026
  • This non-precious Ni/Co heterostructure electrode enhances performance and lowers costs in alkaline water electrolysis.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of enhances
Verb
  • That production is the wrinkle that elevates Seventhirty’s lyrics from modern dating podcast material to pure melodrama.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Alongside the mainline collection, a premium NY block pack elevates an archival jogging suit from the ‘80s for the contemporary moment.
    — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of elevates
Verb
  • As Carson and Rapp’s search for Henry deepens, Yaga cuts a jagged (though, at this point, well-trod by shows like Hulu’s Furious or even Netflix’s East of Eden) path through themes of wealth, male entitlement, female rage and the purpose of myth.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The split further deepens among male drinkers to 53 percent to 23 percent in favor of beer.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of deepens
Verb
  • That raises practical questions about safety and accessibility, along with concerns about jobs.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, deadly Russian attacks continue, as Ukraine raises concerns about cracks in support from the US.
    — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of raises
Verb
  • Asked what fundamentally strengthens creativity, experts keep coming back to lived experience.
    — Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The risk that alcohol consumption will recover slowly strengthens the case for diversification.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of strengthens
Verb
  • The base incentive rate for qualifying film and television projects is 5% to 25% depending on in-state spend (a minimum of $250,000), with uplifts possible.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Venus will also be in harmony with lucky Jupiter, which uplifts the energetic atmosphere with joy, charm and possibility.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of uplifts

Browse Nearby Words

heightening
heightens
heights
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Heightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightens. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All