Meaning & use
Heightening
Last updated
The act or process of making something more intense, greater in degree, or physically taller.
See it in a sentence
The film relies on a slow heightening of tension rather than sudden jump scares.
The heightening of the dam wall increased the reservoir's capacity significantly.
A note on using this word
Functions both as the present participle of the verb "heighten" and as a standalone noun describing a gradual increase.
Words with a similar meaning
intensificationescalation
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
reductionlessening
Another way to use it
2. verb
Making or becoming greater, more intense, or higher.
Rising prices are heightening concerns about inflation.
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