heighten

verb

USHY-tuhn/ˈhaɪ̯.tən/

Formsheightens, heightening, heightened

2 meanings of heighten

1
verbtransitive
To make a feeling or quality stronger, greater, or more intense.
Like turning up the volume so a sound feels stronger.
The music helped heighten the excitement in the room.
Bright lights heighten the sense of danger in horror movies.
Similarintensify, increase, enhance, amplify, sharpen
Oppositereduce, lessen, diminish, decrease
2
verbtransitive
To make something higher or raise it up.
Like stacking another box on top to make a pile taller.
They plan to heighten the fence to keep deer out.
Builders heighten the walls before adding the roof.
Similarraise, elevate, lift
Oppositelower

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Origin

From Middle English heightenen, made from "height" plus the verb ending "-en".