Word
heighten
To increase the intensity, degree, or effect of something.
Meanings
To make an emotion, quality, or effect more intense or profound.
To increase the level or degree of something, such as awareness, tension, or a sense of urgency.
Definition
When you heighten something, you make it stronger, more intense, or more noticeable than it was before. This verb is commonly used to describe an increase in emotions, sensations, qualities, or abstract concepts rather than making a physical object literally taller. It suggests an elevation or amplification of a particular aspect or state.
Examples
- The dramatic music helped to heighten the tension in the final scene of the film.
- Her recent promotion heightened her sense of responsibility towards the entire project team.
- These public health campaigns are designed to heighten awareness of preventative measures.
- The approaching deadline began to heighten the concerns of everyone involved in the startup.
- A sudden, unexpected noise can often heighten a small animal's alertness and fear.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes incorrectly use 'heighten' for making physical objects taller, or confuse it with 'highten,' which is not a word.
More at C1 level
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More verbs
- analyze To examine something carefully in order to understand it or explain it.
- scrutinize To scrutinize something is to examine it very carefully and in detail.
- affect To affect something is to influence it or cause it to change.
- allude To allude means to mention or suggest something indirectly without saying it clearly.
- elude To elude someone or something is to avoid being caught, understood, or remembered.