heighten

[hahyt-n]

verb (used with object)

1. to increase the height of; make higher.

2. to increase the degree or amount of; augment.

   Cézanne's death heightened the value of his paintings.

3. to strengthen, deepen, or intensify.

   to heighten the plot of a story; to heighten one's awareness or appreciation; to heighten one's suffering.

4. to bring out the important features of, as in a drawing.

   to heighten a picture with Chinese white.

verb (used without object)

1. to become higher.

2. to increase.

   The tension heightened as the enemy forces advanced.

3. to brighten or become more intense.

heighten

/ ˈhaɪtən /

verb

1. to make or become high or higher

2. to make or become more extreme or intense

Other Word Forms

• heightener noun
• unheightened adjective
• heightened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of heighten¹

First recorded in 1515–25; height + -en ¹

Synonym Study

See elevate.

Example Sentences

Several airlines suspended their flights to Venezuela after the US aviation regulator warned on Friday of "heightened military activity" in the area.

Read more on BBC

"They are not intended to attack other countries, are deployed throughout Japan, and clearly do not heighten regional tensions," he told reporters.

Read more on Barron's

It also reflects heightened caution around more near-term cost reduction measures.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"The reading carries heightened importance following the postponement of October's personal consumption expenditures report, originally scheduled for 26 November, which removes a key datapoint from policymakers' assessment framework," wrote IG market analyst Fabien Yip.

Read more on Barron's

Election season is regarded by some as a particularly dangerous time when parents have been warned to take special care of their children because of the heightened risk of abductions.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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