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
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 heightened
James Barron, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
The combination of low humidity, dry fuels, and shifting winds has heightened the potential for spot fires and rapid expansion.
—Russell Lewis, NPR, 8 Jan. 2025
To prepare for another arrest attempt, the President's Secret Service heightened surveillance near the Presidential residence, adding more chains to the barbed wire fence and blocking vehicles.
—Hakyung Kate Lee, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2025
The stakes felt heightened given a past health scare and her mid-career pivot from writer to painter.
—Grace Edquist, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025
Not knowing which country the event's most important matches will be played underlines cricket being handcuffed to the whims of money-spinner India, whose power might be heightened by the ascension of former boss Jay Shah running the sport's affairs globally.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
My attention here will be to focus on a clever technique that garners heightened AI alignment for the o3 model.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Any unease was heightened by the crowd remarking on a blaze that appeared to only march forward.
—Corina Knoll, New York Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Existing norms of deterrence still operate, even if they are being tested, and so direct, large-scale military conflict between major adversarial states is unlikely, although the risks are heightened.
—Shane Croucher, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
Each heightened the perception that the subways are unsafe.
—James Barron, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
The combination of low humidity, dry fuels, and shifting winds has heightened the potential for spot fires and rapid expansion.
—Russell Lewis, NPR, 8 Jan. 2025
To prepare for another arrest attempt, the President's Secret Service heightened surveillance near the Presidential residence, adding more chains to the barbed wire fence and blocking vehicles.
—Hakyung Kate Lee, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2025
The stakes felt heightened given a past health scare and her mid-career pivot from writer to painter.
—Grace Edquist, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025
Not knowing which country the event's most important matches will be played underlines cricket being handcuffed to the whims of money-spinner India, whose power might be heightened by the ascension of former boss Jay Shah running the sport's affairs globally.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
My attention here will be to focus on a clever technique that garners heightened AI alignment for the o3 model.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Any unease was heightened by the crowd remarking on a blaze that appeared to only march forward.
—Corina Knoll, New York Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Existing norms of deterrence still operate, even if they are being tested, and so direct, large-scale military conflict between major adversarial states is unlikely, although the risks are heightened.
—Shane Croucher, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightened
Adjective
-
There are plenty of reasons to expect increased demand, including the growth of data centers and the electrification of heating and transit, but so far, there's been no clear sign of it in the data.—
John Timmer,
Ars Technica,
27 Jan. 2025
-
Showa and Nissin assert that their novel approach offers better stability while in use, thanks to the increased surface area where these parts meet.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Discussions about reforming this program have intensified, with some advocating for the removal of country-specific caps on green cards to address extensive backlogs faced by applicants from countries including India.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Those theories only intensified after Live Nation — one of the world’s biggest touring companies, which backed Bey’s most recent trek, the Renaissance World Tour — reposted the musician’s teasers on its own socials.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
An hour later, American said flights were again beginning to board and the FAA lifted the nationwide ground stop.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
24 Dec. 2024
-
And the lamb, which knew what weeping meant, lifted itself from the hay.—
Karen Zautyk,
New York Daily News,
24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Clearly, the naked trend is not leaving us anytime soon, but Jennie’s elevated treatment of the look shows promise for a 2025 evolution.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Partnering with Insomniac—the production powerhouse behind Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas—Warped Tour 2025 aims to merge its punk rock spirit with elevated festival production.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
This delivered incredible accessibility, flexibility and efficiency, but also deepened the digital divide for those without technology access, blurred work-life boundaries and fueled loneliness.—
Ann Kowal Smith,
Forbes,
20 Dec. 2024
-
Although Moscow has supplied Beijing with arms for years—including advanced fighter aircraft, air defense systems, and antiship missiles—their defense ties have deepened at an alarming rate.—
Andrea Kendall-Taylor,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Rodgers’ 43-yard pass to Lazard helped set up his four-yard touchdown pass to Adams, which raised the Jets lead to 25-13.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Packers defensive lineman Karl Brooks pushed his way forward through the Bears line, leaped with his hand raised and blocked Santos’ kick.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Dominant as the changeup is, Kahnle’s reliance on getting hitters to chase the pitch may be part of the reason his walk rates of 10.6 percent and 11.5 percent have been higher than average in each of the past two seasons.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
The Athletic,
30 Jan. 2025
-
In 2018, a live wire broke free from a 100-year-old transmission tower in high winds and sparked the Camp fire, which killed scores of people and destroyed the town of Paradise in Northern California.—
Ivan Penn,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Robust know-your-customer (KYC) protocols, enhanced due diligence (EDD) for high-risk applicants and thorough verification of fund sources can help mitigate risks, but that is not all; there is more to the story.—
Khurram Akhtar,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Online connectivity has enhanced the work of entrepreneurs, opening new business possibilities.—
John Hall,
Forbes,
5 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near heightened
Cite this Entry
“Heightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightened. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share