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

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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

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 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 The potentially catastrophic risks of things going wrong only heightens the sense of urgency. — Lora Kolodny,jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 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 disclosure intensifies criticism of officials who dismissed concerns about sailors’ conditions as the administration offers no clear timeline for ending the war.
    — Ben Finley, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of intensifies
Verb
  • Accessibility Very good—two street-level entrances have ramps in place and are wheelchair-accessible, and lifts access all floors of the hotel.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • When the dealer lifts the top card slightly to check for a blackjack, a partner with good eyesight can catch a glimpse and signal to the player.
    — Kit Chellel, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of lifts
Verb
  • All of the following prices include destination fees Redesigned for the 2026 model year, the latest Outback has a boxier look that enhances the utility for which Subarus are well known.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Future Society’s Base Scent is an innovative deodorant-fragrance hybrid that enhances your personal scent to make your body smell good on its own.
    — Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of enhances
Verb
  • This addresses a younger consumer and elevates Heinemann’s beauty offer with a strong local brand partner, which comes with its own selection highly dedicated to beauty subcategories.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The idea that posits that a little bit of red in a room elevates otherwise boring compositions with an unexpected jolt of energy.
    — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of elevates
Verb
  • Sigurd’s departure only deepens this cynicism, which Livia clings to for 27 years — until the pair reconnect on the phone for a truly excruciating conversation.
    — Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • What’s more, its growth runway could widen materially as the Huntsville, Alabama, company deepens its relationships with disruptive defense innovator Anduril Industries and space-launch leader SpaceX .
    — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of deepens
Verb
  • The organization, created in 1961 by first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, receives no government funding, and raises money through private donations and sales of retail merchandise.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The necropsy indicating chronic gastrointestinal disease in two of the dead belugas certainly raises questions about their condition before transport.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of raises
Verb
  • The question is whether an exclusive relationship strengthens the business without restricting its ability to grow beyond it.
    — Sanjay Ghare, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The brand’s core technology, NIA 114, strengthens the skin barrier and boosts the performance of other active ingredients.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 6 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
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Cite this Entry

“Heightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightens. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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