HEIGHTENING Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

heightening 1 of 2

noun

as in strengthening

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

heightening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of heighten

as in intensifying

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

as in lifting

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 heightening

Noun

The real heightening of this support, though, came four years later. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 July 2026 It all sticks — every Dutch angle, inventively silly camera placement, and enthusiastic heightening of high-noon suspense. — James Grebey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026 Lighting designer Esquire Jauchem softens and brightens above and around the ever-moving Rubinstein as topics and memories call for the heightening and muting of the president’s feelings and emotions. — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 20 Jan. 2026 Just a day later, Neptune retrograde shifts into Pisces, heightening intuition and deepening emotional awareness with entirely new depth. — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025

Verb

This, of course, is intensified by the weight of tomorrow’s lunar eclipse, already heightening our emotions. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 Seattle comforts you with its natural beauty, quieting your mind and heightening your senses. — Giovanna Caravetta, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026 There’s an Iran war that won’t end, heightening anxieties, plus fluctuating trade policies for those who deal with foreign goods or markets. — Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 25 Aug. 2026 The remarks drew activist groups to rally outside WNBA games, heightening tensions inside arenas, and became grist for MAGA influencers such as competitive swimmer turned political activist Riley Gaines. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Gradually, the story’s impact started to affect Eckert, with every passing day heightening the scrutiny. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026 Duke Energy and data center power Data centers are heightening electricity demand, Duke Energy said in a February earnings report. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 6 Aug. 2026 The threat expanded on the Yemeni militant group’s call Monday to close off the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Saudi ships, heightening the risk for vessels passing through the channel. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 21 July 2026 The editing rhythms are clipped and almost metronomically precise; individual scenes feel less composed than synthesized from an array of swift, gestural fragments—a hand on a doorknob, a face at the window—which have the effect of heightening your attention. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightening

Noun

That’s in addition to the earlier dismantling of USAID (which trained social mobilizers for surveillance and active case finding) and the withdrawal from the WHO (whose technical expertise informed laboratory strengthening and data systems).

— Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Environmental conditions appear favorable for gradual strengthening during the next few days as the system approaches the Hawaiian Islands, the hurricane center said in an online forecast.

— Doyle Rice, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of strengthening

Verb

Huge challenges remain, however, with European companies facing intensifying competition from China.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Emergency services have been battling wildfires driven by an intensifying El Nino pattern and a prolonged dry season, generating dense smoke that crossed into Malaysia and Brunei, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.

— Muhammad Hatta, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of intensifying

Noun

The typical small business faces premium increases of 14% next year, based on a preliminary analysis by KFF.

— Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Australia’s National Emergency Management Agency has warned that the growing trend of concurrent and cascading disasters is expected to continue and, in many cases, increase.

— Milad Haghani, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of increase

Verb

Apart from deepening its presence in existing markets, IHH is also considering expanding into adjacent countries, though Prem admits that no concrete plans have yet been made.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Beyond brands and filmmakers, InnoAsia is deepening ties with technology firms and international markets.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of deepening

Verb

Defense attorneys in both cases argued that the defendants’ intent was in question, raising in argument the possibility that their clients were not trying to cause serious bodily injury or death.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
Enacting a solution is liable to be a significant political battle, likely involving cutting benefits for some Americans or raising taxes on higher earners, or both.

— Ashley Lopez, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of raising

Noun

The game will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, with PS5 Pro enhancements and Xbox Play Anywhere.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
The researchers will need to determine how broadly the effect works and whether stronger enhancement can be achieved with different materials or cavity designs.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of enhancement

Verb

The monthly books are chosen by a committee through the Dollywood Foundation with the goal of enhancing early childhood education.

— Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
The organization works to champion aspiring and established storytellers by providing events and services, enhancing public awareness and participation and encouraging community partnerships.

— Isabelle Farina, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of enhancing

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heightened

heightening

heightens

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“Heightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightening. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of heightening

noun

verb

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