verb
heighten
HEYE-tuhn
verb
1
To increase the intensity, degree, or effect of something.
"The dim lighting heightened the sense of suspense."
"Rising prices have heightened concerns about inflation."
How to Use Heighten
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make something stronger, more intense, or more noticeable.
Common pairings
heighten awareness
heighten tension
heighten the risk
Word Forms
heightened past tense, heightens singular
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The dim lighting _____ the sense of suspense.
Etymology
Formed from "height" plus the verb-making ending "-en," the same pattern seen in "sharpen" or "widen."