<p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>to increase the height of; make higher.</li><li>to increase the degree or amount of; augment: Cézanne's death heightened the value of his paintings.</li><li>to strengthen, deepen, or intensify: to heighten the plot of a story; to heighten one's awareness or appreciation; to heighten one's suffering.</li><li>to bring out the important features of, as in a drawing: to heighten a picture with Chinese white.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object)</strong></p><ul><li>to become higher.</li><li>to increase: The tension heightened as the enemy forces advanced.</li><li>to brighten or become more intense.</li></ul>