heighten

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heighten" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to increasing or intensifying something, such as emotions, awareness, or experiences. Example: "The new marketing campaign aims to heighten awareness of the brand among younger consumers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One of the ironies of increased student fees is that they can heighten student expectations (often unrealistically) about the support services at their institutions.

The Guardian

So a diagnosis of cancer may heighten the importance of trust but, otherwise, does trusting your doctor really matter?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Aside from Wendy's "Tena Lady moment" there's not much zeitgeist surfing to be done here, which actually serves to heighten the timeless Pinteresque intensity of the piece (yes, the word "piece" actually feels suitable this week).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Her intervention is likely to heighten fears that senior policymakers in the US and Europe are preparing for Greece to leave the eurozone.

The Guardian - Business

The appointment would be a huge coup for Marvel, given Jolie's celebrity status and accompanying ability to heighten interest in one of the studio's comic book arm's lesser-known properties.

The Guardian - Film

The government thinks the EU bonus cap is barking mad because its imposition will heighten financial instability.

The Guardian - Business

"That is only going to heighten the sense of alienation that those most likely to consume radical propaganda feel, while giving groups like Islamic State a talking point to tell these young people; 'You're being targeted for being who you are and for wanting to use the internet to seek the truth'".

The Guardian

The third is that people use it to heighten or fortify natural scent, and thus advertise sexual attractiveness or availability.All three theories could be true.

The Economist

A repeat of the 27% that the party managed a year ago, in the dying days of Tony Blair's premiership, would only heighten speculation that Mr Brown will not lead his party into the next election.More resonant, perhaps, is the race for Britain's most important directly elected job: that of mayor of London.

The Economist

It may also heighten tensions within the ECB: rumours flew this week that Axel Weber, head of the Bundesbank and a critic of the ECB's foray into bond-buying, no longer wants to be a candidate to succeed Jean-Claude Trichet as its president.Speculation that the EFSF could facilitate a reduction in the debt of countries like Greece through buy-backs has also faded.

The Economist

So the new EU will both constrict its trade with Russia proper and heighten neighbouring countries' barriers against its goods.The Russian government does at least seem to be paying attention.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heighten" to suggest an increase in intensity or degree, especially when referring to emotions, sensations, or awareness. For instance, "heighten the tension" effectively conveys a rise in suspense.

Common error

Avoid using "heighten" when simply "increase" would suffice. "Heighten" carries a connotation of intensifying an existing state or feeling, not just making something larger in quantity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "heighten" is as a transitive verb. It signifies the action of making something higher or more intense. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "heighten" is used to describe the process of making something more intense, elevated, or pronounced. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, as evidenced by numerous examples from The Guardian and The Economist, "heighten" often describes the escalation of tensions, awareness, or effects. While generally neutral, its usage can lean towards formal in academic or professional settings. Alternatives include "intensify", "enhance", and "amplify", each carrying slightly different connotations. The best practice involves using "heighten" when emphasizing an existing condition's escalation, while avoiding it when a simple "increase" would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intensify

Directly relates to increasing the strength or degree of something, akin to making it more heightened.

increase

A general term for making something larger or greater in quantity, size, or degree.

enhance

Implies improving or making something better, often by adding to or intensifying it.

amplify

Focuses on making something louder or more pronounced, similar to increasing the intensity of "heighten".

deepen

Suggests making something more profound or intense, often referring to understanding or emotion.

escalate

Implies a rapid increase or intensification, often in negative contexts like conflict or tension.

augment

Suggests adding to something in order to increase its size, amount, or degree.

exacerbate

Specifically means to make something bad even worse or more intense.

magnify

Emphasizes making something appear larger or more significant than it actually is.

sharpen

Refers to making something clearer, more focused, or more intense.

FAQs

How can I use "heighten" in a sentence?

You can use "heighten" to describe an increase in intensity or degree. For example, "The music was used to heighten the suspense in the movie scene."

What are some alternatives to saying "heighten"?

You can use alternatives like "intensify", "enhance", or "increase" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "heighten" and "increase"?

"Heighten" suggests an intensification of something already present, often related to emotions or sensations. "Increase", on the other hand, is a more general term for making something larger or greater. You can use "increase awareness".

When is it appropriate to use "heighten" instead of "raise"?

"Heighten" is used for abstract concepts like emotions or awareness, while "raise" is typically used for physical objects or concrete quantities. You would "heighten" tension, but "raise" a flag.