Synonyms of heightened

heightened 1 of 2

adjective

as in increased

being at a higher level than average

there were heightened levels of lead in the drinking water

Synonyms & Similar Words

• increased
• elevated
• high
• raised
• up
• escalated
• extreme
• maximum
• jacked (up)
• peaked
• utmost
• inflated
• over
• maximized
• sky-high
• full
• overloaded
• overflowing
• oversize
• overfilled
• overlarge
• overfull

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• low
• down
• decreased
• dropped
• under
• depressed
• receded
• knockdown

heightened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of heighten

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

• intensified
• deepened
• enhanced
• strengthened
• consolidated
• reinforced
• accentuated
• amplified
• boosted
• sharpened
• broadened
• stepped up
• magnified
• expanded
• redoubled
• augmented
• emphasized
• extended
• beefed (up)
• accelerated
• lengthened
• enforced
• amped (up)
• supplemented
• enlarged
• pointed (up)
• quickened
• maximized
• exacerbated
• stressed
• hastened
• enlivened
• aggravated
• restrengthened
• jazzed (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduced
• decreased
• diminished
• abated
• lessened
• weakened
• moderated
• subdued
• subsided
• receded
• waned
• dwindled
• tapered (off)
• alleviated
• eased
• lightened
• toned (down)
• let up (on)

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

• lifted
• elevated
• raised
• uplifted
• boosted
• hoisted
• upheld
• hiked
• upped
• heaved
• took up
• picked up
• mounted
• rose
• perked (up)
• jacked (up)
• upraised
• craned
• ascended
• hefted
• reared
• upended

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lowered
• dropped
• fell
• slipped
• pushed
• descended
• bore
• pressed
• plunged
• depressed
• dipped
• pitched
• sank
• submerged

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of heightened

Adjective

Expectations around workload and external factors, including international conflicts and crises, are contributing to these heightened anxieties. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Such heightened security risks are forcing shipowners to offer elevated risk premiums to retain crew members. — CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026

The president said their conversation was expected to touch on the heightened scrutiny of Russia's response after some Russian media and public figures reported a death potentially connected to the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Its heightened visual style moves confidently between romance, fantasy and black comedy, shifting tone without settling neatly into any one genre. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

As a result, the chances of heightened activity rise around the time the comet passes through the inner solar system — an event which last occurred in March 2025. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2026

The colorful ensemble served as a heightened contrast to her day-to-day style, which typically leans more casual—yet still retro. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2026

And their first-round series against the Mystics featured a heightened pace than the Liberty’s series. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 3 Oct. 2026

The scare came as Netanyahu has warned in recent days about unspecified heightened security threats facing Israel. — Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Verb

The problem of longevity possesses philosophical and practical contradictions, now heightened by the gradual disappearance of artists of Serra’s generation and the uncertain posthumous legacy of their work. — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Poland’s prime minister warns Russia may target countries supporting Ukraine with hybrid attacks, while new drone explosions have heightened local fears. — Claudia Ciobanu, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

These episodes have heightened fears about AI agents taking actions without human prompting. — Deven Desai, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026

The conflict potential is heightened for you, particularly that which finds you on the road, so take extra care to not accidentally offend the locals with behavior that wouldn’t necessarily be considered rude back home. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026

Some local residents said security appeared to have been heightened around RAF Fairford in recent days, with heavy vehicles parked across entrance gates. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

But a recent uptick in both national and Chicago area police abusing Flock cameras has heightened residents’ concerns about their privacy, security and whether the technology’s public safety benefits ultimately outweigh its risks. — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026

Over its 1,200 pages, the novel becomes a haunting of a haunting, a terror echoed and heightened over time. — Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026

Heavy, uninterrupted nicotine ingestion can trigger blood pressure spikes, elevated heart rates, sleep disruption and heightened anxiety. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026