intense

[in-tens]

adjective

1. existing or occurring in a high or extreme degree.

   intense heat.

2. acute, strong, or vehement, as sensations, feelings, or emotions.

   intense anger.

   Synonyms: strong, ardent, passionate, fervent

3. of an extreme kind; very great, as in strength, keenness, severity, or the like.

   an intense gale.

4. having a characteristic quality in a high degree.

   The intense sunlight was blinding.

5. strenuous or earnest, as activity, exertion, diligence, or thought.

   an intense life.

6. exhibiting a high degree of some quality or action.

7. having or showing great strength, strong feeling, or tension, as a person, the face, or language.

8. susceptible to strong emotion; emotional.

   an intense person.

9. (of color) very deep.

   intense red.

10. Photography.,  dense.

intense

/ ɪnˈtɛns /

adjective

1. of extreme force, strength, degree, or amount

   intense heat

2. characterized by deep or forceful feelings

   an intense person

Usage

Intense is sometimes wrongly used where intensive is meant: the land is under intensive (not intense ) cultivation. Intensely is sometimes wrongly used where intently is meant: he listened intently (not intensely )

Other Word Forms

• intensely adverb
• intenseness noun
• hyperintense adjective
• hyperintenseness noun
• overintense adjective
• overintenseness noun
• superintense adjective
• superintenseness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of intense¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin intēnsus, variant of intentus, past participle of the verb intendere “to stretch toward”; in- ², tense ¹, intent ², intend

Word History and Origins

Origin of intense¹

C14: from Latin intensus stretched, from intendere to stretch out; see _intend

Example Sentences

In ice dance, reigning world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates capitalised on their four-point lead, debuting an intense flamenco to a version of "Paint It Black".

Read more on Barron's

While there are some concerns about an AI bubble due to intense capex numbers, Meta has repeatedly emphasized the strategic importance of AI to the business.

Read more on MarketWatch

Iran has been forced to discount its oil deeply, but has kept exports high under intense sanctions.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Afghan and Pakistani negotiators are to meet in Istanbul Saturday to address security issues and establish a lasting ceasefire along their shared border after an outbreak of unexpectedly intense bloody clashes.

Read more on Barron's

Their results suggest that during the "cosmic dark ages," dark matter gathered into dense clumps across space, pulling in hydrogen gas that emitted intense radio waves.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• acute 
• bitter 
• deep 
• energetic 
• excessive 
• extraordinary 
• extreme 
• fierce 
• great 
• harsh 
• heightened www.thesaurus.com
• intensified www.thesaurus.com
• intensive 
• powerful 
• profound 
• protracted 
• sharp 
• strong 
• violent 
• vivid