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
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Recent Examples of heightened
Ellise Shafer, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Regulators have taken notice, with the Shanghai Gold Exchange repeatedly raising margin requirements to curb heightened volatility.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
An unrelenting focus on achievement and competitiveness are all associated with heightened risks of developing an eating disorder.
—Emily Hemendinger, The Conversation, 13 Feb. 2026
The more favorable the result to Russia, the more compelling the case for heightened nuclear deterrence.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
The clarification from Oakwood comes amid heightened scrutiny across metro Atlanta and surrounding areas over possible ICE detention expansions.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
While February provides heightened visibility, artists were candid about the challenges of sustaining that momentum year-round.
—Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
Its influence is in the heightened emotional state of Heathcliff and Cathy, the stakes that Brontë develops through their love for one another.
—Hannah Benson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
But unlike the dark-romance trope in novels and fanfiction, which centers on taboo relationships and morally gray characters, these looks are less about shock value and more about heightened emotion.
—Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 10 Feb. 2026
Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
The polarized response to the Super Bowl halftime show was heightened by the president signaling his strong distaste for Bad Bunny both before and after the game.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
The idea that Wuthering Heights is alive is heightened in the film by production designer Suzie Davies’s sets.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
That possibility has injected urgency into negotiations and heightened the stakes of what has become a test of legislative independence from a governor who has long dominated Tallahassee politics.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Back-to-back cancellations of talk show staples like The Kelly Clarkson Show and Sherri have heightened fears that video podcasts are coming for traditional TV.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Although the world of the movie is heightened and beautifully garish, the romance is more grounded.
—Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The result is a film less haunted than heightened, less gothic than erotic and curiously unmoored from time.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
And that's a good thing in a country where 129 million people face at least one major chronic illness and heightened risk of premature death, much of it from bad eating habits, said a senior policy adviser in the Obama White House and a private chef for the former first family.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Even in the trailer, scenes of slapping dough, Robbie and Elordi kissing in the rain and Elordi licking a wall were telltale signs that this would be a heightened version of the actual romance depicted in the book.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Regulators have taken notice, with the Shanghai Gold Exchange repeatedly raising margin requirements to curb heightened volatility.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
An unrelenting focus on achievement and competitiveness are all associated with heightened risks of developing an eating disorder.
—Emily Hemendinger, The Conversation, 13 Feb. 2026
The more favorable the result to Russia, the more compelling the case for heightened nuclear deterrence.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
The clarification from Oakwood comes amid heightened scrutiny across metro Atlanta and surrounding areas over possible ICE detention expansions.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
While February provides heightened visibility, artists were candid about the challenges of sustaining that momentum year-round.
—Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
Its influence is in the heightened emotional state of Heathcliff and Cathy, the stakes that Brontë develops through their love for one another.
—Hannah Benson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
But unlike the dark-romance trope in novels and fanfiction, which centers on taboo relationships and morally gray characters, these looks are less about shock value and more about heightened emotion.
—Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
Two shows, much of it improvised, will be staged at The Conrad in La Jolla next Sunday and that heightened, in-the-moment energy transmits to the audience.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
The polarized response to the Super Bowl halftime show was heightened by the president signaling his strong distaste for Bad Bunny both before and after the game.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
The idea that Wuthering Heights is alive is heightened in the film by production designer Suzie Davies’s sets.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
That possibility has injected urgency into negotiations and heightened the stakes of what has become a test of legislative independence from a governor who has long dominated Tallahassee politics.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Back-to-back cancellations of talk show staples like The Kelly Clarkson Show and Sherri have heightened fears that video podcasts are coming for traditional TV.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Although the world of the movie is heightened and beautifully garish, the romance is more grounded.
—Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The result is a film less haunted than heightened, less gothic than erotic and curiously unmoored from time.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
And that's a good thing in a country where 129 million people face at least one major chronic illness and heightened risk of premature death, much of it from bad eating habits, said a senior policy adviser in the Obama White House and a private chef for the former first family.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heightened
Adjective
-
That stoked fears that the specialized client services offered by brokerage and wealth management firms could face increased competition.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Redshirt sophomore forwards Jana El Alfy and Ayanna Patterson may also see increased minutes.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But while the model shifted toward authenticity, the pressure intensified.—
Mina Haque,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Since late January, the harsh cold has has not only intensified demand for home heating oil but also natural gas and electricity.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
An eight-hour lockdown on campus was lifted Friday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
SpaceX launches Crew-12 astronauts With a blinding light, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifted off on time from Space Launch Complex 40 to carry the four Crew-12 astronauts toward the International Space Station.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
What's so appealing about this spring boot is their comfortable fit and elevated, androgynous structure, which looks very similar to an Oxford dress shoe when paired with Johnson's black Agolde straight-leg '90s jeans.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Heavy snow was forecast for elevated areas, Spender said.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the give-and-take between Goldsworthy and the farmers of Penpont has deepened, the latter have become accustomed to the sight of the artist gathering wood or stones or fallen trees.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Guthrie’s disappearance, which police initially said was a missing person case, was odd from the beginning, and the mystery has only deepened with time.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Additionally, hyperscalers, including Amazon , Microsoft , Meta , and Alphabet , announced capital expenditure of up to $700 billion on AI this year, which has raised concerns over returns and whether the extent of AI spend is justified.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Videos from the killing of Renee Good, a mother of three, in her vehicle, raised questions about the federal agent’s tactics and decision to use deadly force.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And the stakes were extremely high.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Under the bill, school districts can apply for reimbursement for any high-needs student for costs beyond $30,000 per student, with a maximum reimbursement of up to $100,000 per student.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
How has being in love enhanced your artistic practice?—
Cierra Black,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
This investment ensures smaller class sizes, competitive pay for educators and staff (at least $20/hour), enhanced school safety and robust support for early childhood and higher education.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightened. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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