intensify
Americanverb (used with object)
-
intensifies,
present (3rd person singular)
-
intensified,
past participle, past
-
intensifying
present participle
-
to make intense or more intense.
- Synonyms:
- concentrate, quicken, deepen
-
to make more acute; strengthen or sharpen.
- Synonyms:
- concentrate, quicken, deepen
-
Photography. to increase the density and contrast of (a negative) chemically.
verb (used without object)
-
intensifies,
present (3rd person singular)
-
intensified,
past participle, past
-
intensifying
present participle
verb
-
to make or become intense or more intense
-
(tr) to increase the density of (a photographic film or plate)
Synonym Usage
See aggravate.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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intensificationnoun
-
overintensificationnoun
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de-intensifyverb
-
overintensifyverb
-
self-intensifiedadjective
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self-intensifyingadjective
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unintensifiedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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intensifysimple
-
intensifiessimple
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have intensifiedperfect
-
has intensifiedperfect
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am intensifyingprogressive
-
are intensifyingprogressive
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is intensifyingprogressive
-
have been intensifyingperfect progressive
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has been intensifyingperfect progressive
Past
-
intensifiedsimple
-
had intensifiedperfect
-
was intensifyingprogressive
-
were intensifyingprogressive
-
had been intensifyingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of intensify
Explanation
To intensify is to increase the intensity, force, or power of something. If you snap a selfie and the colors aren't intense enough, you may be able to intensify them with a photo editor. You can see the word "intense" in intensify, which clues you in to the meaning of the verb. When you make something more intense, you intensify it — make it more of whatever it is. Believe it or not, a pinch of salt can actually intensify the sweetness of the sugar in a cake. It makes it even sweeter. Storm chasers never know whether a tornado will continue to intensify or begin to abate as they approach — and the difference could mean life or death for them.
Vocabulary lists containing intensify
Power Suffix: -fy
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
As the El Niño weather event in the Pacific Ocean continues to intensify it has been linked to wetter and stormier weather in the UK during late autumn and early winter.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026
Yet a series of less-than-stellar earnings results from some of the world’s most important tech companies is causing fears to intensify around a possible slowdown in the aggressive pace of the artificial-intelligence build-out.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 30, 2026
As global challenges in the auto industry intensify, Volkswagen has pledged to accelerate efforts cut its cost base.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
During Phase 2, the meteor travels into increasingly dense air, causing its brightness to intensify.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 29, 2026
To have even a hope of achieving this, the railroads would have to reduce their fares, and Frank Millet would have to intensify his efforts to attract people from all corners of the country.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
As the debate over their merits intensifies, the data centre rollout continues.
From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2026
As dry conditions develop elsewhere, fire activity intensifies in the central and eastern Amazon.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026
El Nino is associated with higher global temperatures, and a stronger cycle intensifies the extreme weather patterns it brings to different regions, like drought or heavy rain.
From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026
But Underwood’s cash-in inevitably intensifies the pressure on the 19-year-old Michigan native after a disappointing performance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
“To speak of the curse only intensifies the curse.”
From "Louisiana's Way Home" by Kate DiCamillo
"Despite the stalemate outcome following the Israeli elections, the chances of a diplomatic breakthrough may be improving following intensified mediation efforts by Qatar and regional allies," said FOREX.com's Razan Hilal.
From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026
The dispute intensified after rulings by European institutions challenging the independence of the tribunal in its current form.
From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2026
Ian Choudri took over in 2024 as scrutiny over the project intensified.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
Internal anxiety about the firm’s survival intensified after the merger talks failed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
The relationship grew stronger as the game wore on and the sense of competition between them intensified.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
The company is grappling with a market downturn in China, intensifying competition, and growing pressure from Chinese brands in Europe.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
“These include a lack of a sustainable moat, highly concentrated revenue, intensifying constraints on the data center build-out that could limit their access to compute.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026
He expects to see U.S. strikes intensifying in the coming months, and then both the U.S. and Iran opting for negotiations due to a “lack of economic and political capabilities to support a longer war.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2026
The measures could serve as a positive catalyst for Europe’s auto sector, which investors have largely shunned amid intensifying competition and weak profitability, he says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026
Kohl buried his head in his hands, his tears intensifying.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
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