heightening

/ˈhaɪ.tən/ (bre, ipa) · [hˈaɪtənɪŋ] /ˈhaɪ.t̬ən/ (ame, ipa)

heightening — verb

  • heighteningpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • heightenings3rd person singular
  • heighteninging-ing form
  • heighteningedpast simple

1. making a feeling, effect, or quality become stronger, sharper, or easier to noti

1.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

making a feeling, effect, or quality become stronger, sharper, or easier to notice, or becoming stronger in this way.

例句

The slow music in the background was clearly heightening the tension during the chess match.

heighten + abstract noun (tension)

Yara felt the storm siren heightening everyone's fear in the crowded school gym.

heighten + fear in a public place

同義詞
反義詞
  • lessening

    everyday opposite for emotion or effect

  • dulling

    fits perception or senses

文法句型

heighten + noun

heighten + abstract noun

用法筆記

Most often used with abstract nouns naming feelings, effects, or perception, such as tension, fear, awareness, or contrast. In this form, it commonly appears in continuous tenses and in descriptions of a change that keeps building.

常見錯誤

❌The warning was heightening scary in the room.
✅The warning was heightening the fear in the room.
💡heighten usually takes a noun naming a feeling or effect, not an adjective.