HEIGHTENING Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

heightening 1 of 2

noun

as in strengthening

Related Words

Relevance

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

Some strengthening is expected during the next day or so, and the system is forecast to become a tropical storm by tonight.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Analysts point out that the drop in the unemployment rate stems from a large number of American workers leaving the labor force, rather than any strengthening in the job market.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of strengthening

Verb

Richard Engel is back in Ukraine to report on its intensifying war with Russia, with a strike this weekend on a warehouse west of Kyiv becoming its deadliest attack this year — more than 38 people were killed.

— NBC News, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
Bumpy road ahead Beyond political scrutiny, intensifying competition has also added to the company’s struggles in recent years.

— John Liu, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of intensifying

Noun

Driving the increase in murder charges in fatal crashes are a few factors, Cherney and McClain agree.

— Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
Over the past three months, international futures markets saw cocoa rise by more than 60% cumulatively, coffee gain over 30%, and raw sugar futures increase by nearly 30%.

— , CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of increase

Verb

Brent crude climbed back above $90 a barrel and gasoline stayed over $4 a gallon all month, deepening inflation pressures and sharpening expectations the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates again.

— Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Salesforce ‘s deepening push into artificial intelligence is showing signs of paying off, and that should continue to benefit its stock, according to Goldman Sachs.

— Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 27 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

Kia's base model can feel a bit barebones, but upper trims feature plenty of creature comforts and tech enhancements that improve its driving and ownership experience.

— Keith Laing, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
At the event, before Rothenberg triumphantly clarinet-riffed with recordings of sperm whales and humpbacks, Joe Valle, of Nonhuman Teachers, interviewed Nollman, with career-retrospective audiovisual enhancement.

— Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 31 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

Browse Nearby Words

heightened

heightening

heightens

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Heightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heightening. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of heightening

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes