heightening
Raising the intensity
Heightening is the act of making something more intense, pronounced, or elevated.
Where increase might be neutral, heightening suggests amplification of effect: the heightening of tensions between the two countries, a heightening of awareness.
The word often describes emotional or sensory intensification: The music contributed to the heightening of suspense.
Increase in strength
- enhanceIncrease in quality
- boostUpward push or increase
- strengthenMake more robust
- deepenIncrease in degree
accentuate · sharpen · magnify · augment · reinforce · invigorate · energize · redouble
Progressive increase in intensity
- aggravationState of being vexed
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
hostilities · confrontation · strife · friction · provocation · antagonism · contention · flare-up
Stretched or strained state
- dramaTheatrical art or turmoil
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
anticipation · arousal · sensation · feeling · awareness · perception · sensitivity · mood
Height above reference point
- raisingLifting or nurturing
- liftingRaising something heavy
- hoistingRaising with effort
- ascendingMoving upward
upward · mounting · rising · uplift · levitation · erecting · propping · platform
Progress toward maturity
- expansionIncrease in scope
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
- enlargementIncrease in size
- advancementForward movement or promotion
progression · evolution · flourishing · blooming · spreading · swelling · extension · multiplication
amplify
Increase in strength
- enhanceIncrease in quality
- boostUpward push or increase
- strengthenMake more robust
deepen · accentuate · sharpen · magnify · augment · reinforce · invigorate · energize · redouble · exacerbate
escalation
Progressive increase in intensity
- aggravationState of being vexed
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
turmoil · hostilities · confrontation · strife · friction · provocation · antagonism · contention · flare-up · spiral
tension
Stretched or strained state
- dramaTheatrical art or turmoil
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
excitement · anticipation · arousal · sensation · feeling · awareness · perception · sensitivity · mood · atmosphere
elevation
Height above reference point
ascending · upward · mounting · rising · uplift · levitation · erecting · propping · platform · pedestal
development
Progress toward maturity
- expansionIncrease in scope
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
- enlargementIncrease in size
advancement · progression · evolution · flourishing · blooming · spreading · swelling · extension · multiplication · acceleration
- exaggerationhyperbole, overstatement, exaggeration, magnification, amplification
- improvementsimprovement, fixes, betterment, enhancement, upgrade
- amplifyingboosting, magnifying, intensifying, strengthening, escalating
- intensificationamplification, escalation, intensification, magnification, strengthening
- yes andbuilding, acceptance, listening, adding, affirmation
- improvyes and, scenes, offer, accept, improv comedy
heighteningdiminishing
Becoming progressively less
lessening · reducing · decreasing · lowering · moderating
heighteningcalming
Inducing a settled state
soothing · depressing · dulling · numbing · subduing
heighteningdecline
Decrease or refuse
degradation · deterioration · worsening · diminishment · reduction
high, height, highly, highlight, higher, highest, heighten, heightened, heightens