intensify

[in-ten-suh-fahy]

See more synonyms for intensify on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), in·ten·si·fied, in·ten·si·fy·ing.

to make intense or more intense.
to make more acute; strengthen or sharpen.
Photography. to increase the density and contrast of (a negative) chemically.

verb (used without object), in·ten·si·fied, in·ten·si·fy·ing.

to become intense or more intense.

Origin of intensify

First recorded in 1810–20; intense + -ify

Related formsin·ten·si·fi·ca·tion, nounde-in·ten·si·fy, verb, de·-in·ten·si·fied, de·-in·ten·si·fy·ing.o·ver·in·ten·si·fi·ca·tion, nouno·ver·in·ten·si·fy, verb, o·ver·in·ten·si·fied, o·ver·in·ten·si·fy·ing.self-in·ten·si·fied, adjectiveself-in·ten·si·fy·ing, adjectiveun·in·ten·si·fied, adjective

Can be confusedaggravate intensify worsen (see synonym study at aggravate)

Synonyms for intensify

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1, 2. deepen, quicken, concentrate.

Synonym study

1, 2. See aggravate.

Antonyms for intensify

1. alleviate, weaken.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for intensification

development, raise, merger, hike, rise, upsurge, expansion, surge, upturn, inflation, gain, increment, boost, escalation, boom, enlargement, enhancement, acceleration, advance, ascent

Examples from the Web for intensification

Contemporary Examples of intensification

But the second thing is the way this city has changed in recent years, the intensification of the separation.
Mass Murder in the Holy City
Michael Tomasky
November 18, 2014

Historical Examples of intensification

An intensification of the vague footsteps I had thought I heard before.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science, March 1930
Various
The blue may carry a factor which brings about intensification of the brown pigment.
Mendelism
Reginald Crundall Punnett
All history teaches by example, and the Scriptural narrative is the intensification of history.
Sermons
J. B. Lightfoot
It seemed to me an intensification of the snob instinct in the soul of man.
Now It Can Be Told
Philip Gibbs
The second year is but an intensification of the process apparent in the first.
The French Revolution
Hilaire Belloc

British Dictionary definitions for intensification

intensify

verb -fies, -fying or -fied

to make or become intense or more intense
(tr) to increase the density of (a photographic film or plate)

Derived Formsintensification, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for intensification

1847, noun of action from intensify.

intensify

1817, from intense + -ify, first attested in Coleridge, in place of intend, which he said no longer was felt as connected with intense. Middle English used intensen (v.) "to increase (something), strengthen, intensify," early 15c. Related: Intensified; intensifying.