heighten

[ hahyt-n ]

/ ˈhaɪt n /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR heighten ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to increase the height of; make higher.

to increase the degree or amount of; augment: Cézanne's death heightened the value of his paintings.

to strengthen, deepen, or intensify: to heighten the plot of a story; to heighten one's awareness or appreciation; to heighten one's suffering.

to bring out the important features of, as in a drawing: to heighten a picture with Chinese white.

verb (used without object)

to become higher.

to increase: The tension heightened as the enemy forces advanced.

to brighten or become more intense.

Nearby words

Origin of heighten

First recorded in 1515–25; height + -en¹

Related formsheight·en·er, nounun·height·ened, adjective

Synonym study

1. See elevate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for heighten

Or really more that Instagram is no different than these paintings of yore that served to heighten status.
Adrian Grenier Talks the Economy, the ‘Entourage’ Movie, and the HBO Series’ Alleged ‘Misogyny’|Marlow Stern|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“AIDS is effecting the world, so I wanted to heighten the awareness that we are all in the same boat,” Mooney said.
Victor Mooney’s Epic Adventure for His Dead Brother|Justin Jones|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And the fact the line was moved from a scene in the middle of the film to one at the end only served to heighten its impact.
What Was Bogey Thinking When He Said ‘Here’s Looking At You, Kid’?|Lewis Beale|September 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He has spoken about how he would listen to her to smooth over the rough days, or heighten his joy.
Billie Holiday, Barack Obama, and the Pain of Black Women|Joshua DuBois|June 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Even poetry has been called into play to heighten the passions of the actors in this dangerous drama.
Putin’s Men in Ukraine: We’re Not Giving In|Anna Nemtsova|April 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A wit and beauty, she was mistress of the arts which heighten the powers of feminine tact and loveliness.
A Book About Lawyers|John Cordy Jeaffreson
These and many other activities are harmful to society; they undermine its morals and heighten corruption.
Woman and Socialism|August Bebel
These are not repeated, and the succeeding silence tends to heighten the unpleasant impression which they make on the mind.
The Western World|W.H.G. Kingston
Every event in the life of Constantia contributed to heighten this passion beyond customary bounds.
Ormond, Volume III (of 3)|Charles Brockden Brown
Every thing conspired to heighten the impression produced on the admiring spectators.
The Book of Curiosities|I. Platts

British Dictionary definitions for heighten

heighten

/ (ˈhaɪtən) /

verb

to make or become high or higher

to make or become more extreme or intense

Derived Formsheightened, adjectiveheightener, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for heighten

heighten

mid-15c., heightenen "to exalt, to honor or raise to high position," from height + -en (1). Related: Heightened; heightening.

heighten

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

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Nearby words

Origin of heighten

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for heighten

British Dictionary definitions for heighten

heighten

verb

Word Origin and History for heighten

heighten