heighten
7 synonyms and 1 antonym for heighten, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To increase the intensity, degree, or effect of something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use heighten
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
heighten awareness
heighten tension
heighten the risk
Etymology
Formed from "height" plus the verb-making ending "-en," the same pattern seen in "sharpen" or "widen."
Full origin of heighten →Frequently asked questions
What does “heighten” mean?
The word “heighten” means to increase the intensity, degree, or effect of something. In plain terms, to make something stronger, more intense, or more noticeable.
How do you pronounce “heighten”?
“Heighten” is pronounced HEYE-tuhn (/ˈhaɪ̯.tən/ in IPA).
How do you use “heighten” in a sentence?
Here is “heighten” used in a sentence: “The dim lighting heightened the sense of suspense.”
What is the opposite of “heighten”?
The opposite of “heighten” — its antonyms — is lessen.
What part of speech is “heighten”?
“Heighten” is a verb.
