intense
Americanadjective
-
existing or occurring in a high or extreme degree.
intense heat.
-
acute, strong, or vehement, as sensations, feelings, or emotions.
intense anger.
- Synonyms:
- strong, ardent, passionate, fervent
-
of an extreme kind; very great, as in strength, keenness, severity, or the like.
an intense gale.
-
having a characteristic quality in a high degree.
The intense sunlight was blinding.
-
strenuous or earnest, as activity, exertion, diligence, or thought.
an intense life.
-
exhibiting a high degree of some quality or action.
-
having or showing great strength, strong feeling, or tension, as a person, the face, or language.
-
susceptible to strong emotion; emotional.
an intense person.
-
(of color) very deep.
intense red.
-
Photography. dense.
adjective
-
of extreme force, strength, degree, or amount
intense heat
-
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
- hyperintense adjective
- hyperintenseness noun
- intensely adverb
- intenseness noun
- overintense adjective
- overintenseness noun
- superintense adjective
- superintenseness noun
Etymology
Origin of intense
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
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.
As these hot spots grow, they increase the likelihood that exceptionally intense tropical cyclones, sometimes described as Category '6' storms, could make landfall near heavily populated coastlines.
From Science Daily
As young stars ignite within these clouds, they release intense energy that causes surrounding hydrogen gas to glow red.
From Science Daily
I am always searching for graphic elements to complement the intense action.
From BBC
Smith has experience of intense public scrutiny, following his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal of 2018 that resulted in him being sacked as Australia captain.
From BBC
"No matter how intense the pressure, the conscience of the people will ultimately prevail. That is where I draw my hope."
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
