heighten

Universal Words verb if a feeling or an effect heightens, or sth heightens it, it becomes stronger or increases SYNINTENSIFY: [V] Tension has heightened after the recent bomb attack. * [VN] The campaign is intended to heighten public awareness of the disease. * His breakdown was followed by a period of heightened activity. * Fears of further racial conflict were heightened by news of the riots. * The drug is said to give users a heightened sense of well-being.