Heightened — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective /ˈhī-tᵊn/ height·en

Meaning & Definition of Heightened

Heightened (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

Heightened (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being at a higher level than average

    "there were heightened levels of lead in the drinking water"

    similar: elevated, escalated, high, increased, jacked (up), raised, up
    related: extreme, full, maximized, maximum, peaked, sky-high, utmost, inflated, over, overfilled, overflowing, overfull, overlarge, overloaded, oversize
    opposite: down, low
    near: decreased, depressed, dropped, knockdown (chiefly British), receded, under

Heightened (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: accentuated, amped (up), amplified, beefed (up), boosted, consolidated, deepened, enhanced, intensified, magnified, redoubled, stepped up, strengthened
    related: broadened, enlarged, expanded, extended, lengthened, accelerated, hastened, quickened, emphasized, pointed (up), sharpened, stressed, augmented, enforced, reinforced, restrengthened, supplemented, maximized, enlivened, jazzed (up), aggravated, exacerbated
    opposite: abated, moderated
    near: decreased, diminished, lessened, let up (on), reduced, subdued, toned (down), weakened, dwindled, receded, subsided, tapered (off), waned, alleviated, eased, lightened

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

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

    similar: boosted, craned, elevated, heaved, hefted, hiked, hoisted, jacked (up), lifted, perked (up), picked up, raised, took up, upheld, uplifted, upped, upraised
    related: ascended, mounted, rose, reared, upended
    opposite: dropped, lowered
    near: descended, dipped, fell, pitched, plunged, slipped, bore, depressed, pressed, pushed, sank, submerged

Related Entry: Heighten (verb)

Heighten is a different word from Heightened. The synonyms below are for heighten, not for heightened.

  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 Heightened

The most common words with a similar meaning to Heightened:

elevated, escalated, high, increased, jacked (up), raised, up, accentuated, amped (up), amplified, beefed (up), boosted, consolidated, deepened, enhanced, intensified, magnified, redoubled, stepped up, strengthened, craned, heaved, hefted, hiked, hoisted, lifted, perked (up), picked up, took up, upheld, uplifted, upped, upraised

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Heightened

Words with the opposite meaning of Heightened:

down, low, abated, moderated, dropped, lowered

Related Words for Heightened

extreme, full, maximized, maximum, peaked, sky-high, utmost, inflated, over, overfilled, overflowing, overfull, overlarge, overloaded, oversize, broadened, enlarged, expanded, extended, lengthened, accelerated, hastened, quickened, emphasized, pointed (up), sharpened, stressed, augmented, enforced, reinforced

Near Antonyms of Heightened

decreased, depressed, knockdown, receded, under, diminished, lessened, let up (on), reduced, subdued, toned (down), weakened, dwindled, subsided, tapered (off), waned, alleviated, eased, lightened, descended, dipped, fell, pitched, plunged, slipped, bore, pressed, pushed, sank, submerged

Word Forms of Heightened

Inflections: heightening

Origin & Etymology of Heightened

First known use: 1523t

Frequently Asked Questions about Heightened

What does "Heightened" mean?

"Heightened" means to increase the amount or degree of, augment. As an a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: to increase the amount or degree of, augment. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Heightened"?

Other words for "Heightened" include elevated, escalated, high, increased, jacked (up), raised, up and accentuated. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Heightened" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Heightened"?

There are 74 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Heightened". Common alternatives include elevated, escalated, high, increased, jacked (up), raised, up, accentuated, amped (up) and amplified.

What is the opposite of "Heightened"?

Antonyms of "Heightened" include down, low, abated, moderated, dropped and lowered. Near antonyms include decreased, depressed, knockdown and receded.

How do you use "Heightened" in a sentence?

Examples of "Heightened" in a sentence: "there were heightened levels of lead in the drinking water"; "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 "Heightened" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Heightened" can be used as a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Heightened"?

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

What is the origin of the word "Heightened"?

First known use: 1523t.