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

Derived Forms

• ˈheightener, noun
• ˈheightened, adjective

Other Words From

• heighten·er noun
• un·heightened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of heighten¹

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

Synonym Study

See elevate.

Example Sentences

Kane's pointed words, and recent England camps, heighten the feeling that one is very badly needed.

From BBC

In May, Israel’s ambassador to the UN wrote to the secretary-general to complain about Syrian violations, including “armed presence in the area of separation” which “only heighten tensions in our already volatile region”.

From BBC

But paints designed to be significantly more reflective than standard white paint could heighten the effect. i2Cool in Hong Kong is one of several firms marketing such a product at present.

From BBC

War movies have always made use of spectacle to heighten existential dangers, but “Blitz” is a welcome reminder that a bruised, searching and flawed home front, in the waning days of empire, was its own fascinating emotional terrain too.

From Los Angeles Times

Recent Israeli attacks on those areas has only served to heighten tensions between residents and the displaced.

From BBC

Related Words

• add to
• boost
• enhance
• improve
• increase
• magnify
• raise
• strengthen