Heighten — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈhī-tᵊn/ height·en

Meaning & Definition of Heighten

Heighten (verb)

  1. to increase the amount or degree of, augment
  2. to make brighter or more intense, deepen
  3. to bring out more strongly, point up

Heighten (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make markedly greater in measure or degree

    "several controversial measures have heightened parental awareness of the impact of school policy decisions"

    similar: accentuate, amp (up), amplify, beef (up), boost, consolidate, deepen, enhance, intensify, magnify, redouble, step up, strengthen
    related: broaden, enlarge, expand, extend, lengthen, accelerate, hasten, quicken, emphasize, point (up), sharpen, stress, augment, enforce, reinforce, restrengthen, supplement, maximize, enliven, jazz (up), aggravate, exacerbate
    opposite: abate, moderate
    near: decrease, diminish, lessen, let up (on), reduce, subdue, tone (down), weaken, dwindle, recede, subside, taper (off), wane, alleviate, ease, lighten

  2. to move from a lower to a higher place or position

    "heightened the hem on her skirt just a couple of inches"

    similar: boost, crane, elevate, heave, heft, hike, hoist, jack (up), lift, perk (up), pick up, raise, take up, up, uphold, uplift, upraise
    related: ascend, mount, rise, rear, upend
    opposite: drop, lower
    near: descend, dip, fall, pitch, plunge, slip, bear, depress, press, push, sink, submerge

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Heighten

The most common words with a similar meaning to Heighten:

accentuate, amp (up), amplify, beef (up), boost, consolidate, deepen, enhance, intensify, magnify, redouble, step up, strengthen, crane, elevate, heave, heft, hike, hoist, jack (up), lift, perk (up), pick up, raise, take up, up, uphold, uplift, upraise

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Heighten

Words with the opposite meaning of Heighten:

abate, moderate, drop, lower

Related Words for Heighten

broaden, enlarge, expand, extend, lengthen, accelerate, hasten, quicken, emphasize, point (up), sharpen, stress, augment, enforce, reinforce, restrengthen, supplement, maximize, enliven, jazz (up), aggravate, exacerbate, ascend, mount, rise, rear, upend

Near Antonyms of Heighten

decrease, diminish, lessen, let up (on), reduce, subdue, tone (down), weaken, dwindle, recede, subside, taper (off), wane, alleviate, ease, lighten, descend, dip, fall, pitch, plunge, slip, bear, depress, press, push, sink, submerge

Word Forms of Heighten

Inflections: heightened, heightening

Origin & Etymology of Heighten

First known use: 1523t

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Heighten

Frequently Asked Questions about Heighten

What does "Heighten" mean?

"Heighten" means to increase the amount or degree of, augment. As a verb, it is defined as: to increase the amount or degree of, augment. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Heighten"?

Other words for "Heighten" include accentuate, amp (up), amplify, beef (up), boost, consolidate, deepen and enhance. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Heighten" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Heighten"?

There are 56 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Heighten". Common alternatives include accentuate, amp (up), amplify, beef (up), boost, consolidate, deepen, enhance, intensify and magnify.

What is the opposite of "Heighten"?

Antonyms of "Heighten" include abate, moderate, drop and lower. Near antonyms include decrease, diminish, lessen and let up (on).

How do you use "Heighten" in a sentence?

Examples of "Heighten" in a sentence: "several controversial measures have heightened parental awareness of the impact of school policy decisions"; "heightened the hem on her skirt just a couple of inches".

Is "Heighten" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Heighten" is a verb.

Is "Heighten" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Heighten" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Heighten"?

"Heighten" is pronounced /ˈhī-tᵊn/ and divided into syllables as height·en.