intensify

[in-ten-suh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

intensified, intensifying 

1. to make intense or more intense.

   Synonyms: concentrate, quicken, deepen
   Antonyms: weaken, alleviate

2. to make more acute; strengthen or sharpen.

   Synonyms: concentrate, quicken, deepen

3. Photography.,  to increase the density and contrast of (a negative) chemically.

verb (used without object)

intensified, intensifying 

1. to become intense or more intense.

intensify

/ ɪnˈtɛnsɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to make or become intense or more intense

2. (tr) to increase the density of (a photographic film or plate)

Other Word Forms

• intensification noun
• de-intensify verb
• overintensification noun
• overintensify verb
• self-intensified adjective
• self-intensifying adjective
• unintensified adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of intensify¹

First recorded in 1810–20; intense + -ify

Synonym Study

See aggravate.

Example Sentences

The heavy snowfall began on Friday evening, intensifying over the weekend, catching mountain guides off guard.

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Soymilk is among the cheapest and highest-protein alternative milks, yet it has lost ground to the newcomers even as the protein craze has intensified.

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This year, however, she and other counselors detected acute emotional reactions: anxiety, sorrow and fear after a summer of intensified immigration raids.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Heavy snowfall began on Friday evening and has intensified on the eastern slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet, which is an area popular with climbers and hikers.

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Russia has intensified its aerial assaults on Ukraine in recent weeks, regularly launching hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles.

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Related Words

• add to www.thesaurus.com
• aggravate 
• boost 
• build up 
• deepen 
• enhance 
• escalate 
• exacerbate 
• heat up 
• heighten 
• increase 
• quicken 
• raise 
• redouble 
• reinforce 
• set off 
• sharpen 
• step up 
• strengthen