intensify
Americanverb (used with object)
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to make intense or more intense.
- Synonyms:
- concentrate, quicken, deepen
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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)
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
-
de-intensifyverb
-
overintensifyverb
-
self-intensifiedadjective
-
self-intensifyingadjective
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unintensifiedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
intensifysimple
-
intensifiessimple
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have intensifiedperfect
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has intensifiedperfect
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am intensifyingprogressive
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are intensifyingprogressive
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is intensifyingprogressive
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have been intensifyingperfect progressive
-
has been intensifyingperfect progressive
Past
-
intensifiedsimple
-
had intensifiedperfect
-
was intensifyingprogressive
-
were intensifyingprogressive
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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 MarketWatch recently reported, July has already been a difficult month for momentum stocks, as the tremors that started in June have continued to intensify.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 8, 2026
Doctors have long relied on LDL cholesterol and non HDL cholesterol levels to decide when patients should begin or intensify cholesterol lowering treatment.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 6, 2026
The collision of delayed LNG trade normalization and stronger Asian demand is likely to intensify competition for cargoes, keeping global gas markets structurally tight.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026
Warmer oceans help tropical storms to intensify and add more moisture, which can fall as heavy rain.
From Barron's ● Jul. 3, 2026
I encouraged the people to return to the barricades, to intensify the struggle, and we would walk the last mile together.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
As U.S.-China technology competition intensifies, both countries have tightened export controls, restricted talent exchanges and increased scrutiny of cross-border capital flows.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 1, 2026
Today similar patterns have emerged as economic and military competition with China intensifies.
From Slate ● May 26, 2026
A heatwave is expected to officially be declared for parts of the UK on Sunday as a spell of unusual May heat intensifies.
From BBC ● May 24, 2026
But she warned that growth could weaken "as the temporary boost from stockpiling unwinds and the squeeze on households' real incomes from higher energy prices intensifies".
From Barron's ● May 14, 2026
The light from the Obayifo’s stare intensifies for a moment.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
Dollar Index ticked down, but hovered near multiyear highs as the rebound in oil prices intensified inflation expectations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
The word-of-mouth buzz around the series, which premiered in April, intensified each week leading up to its finale last month and prompted chatter around its prospects as a major Emmys contender.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
But in recent weeks the clampdown has intensified.
From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026
Some visitors left early as the heat intensified, while emergency crews monitored for signs of heat-related illness across the grounds.
From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026
He tried to ignore it—the cookies were calling him—but then the sobbing intensified.
From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser
U.S. gasoline and diesel futures also surged, pushed higher by Ukraine’s intensifying air campaign against Russian refineries as well as the renewed Hormuz tensions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
Greece, France and Spain led a push last year for limiting minors' access to social media, with pressure intensifying on the EU executive to establish a bloc-wide ban like Australia did in December.
From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026
The paper arrives at a time of intensifying competition in space exploration.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 6, 2026
As well as strong sunshine, dry soil is intensifying the heat - the coastal Northeast has been in drought this year.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026
Isa made her way to Castleman’s to buy bread for the next day’s dinner, fighting the intensifying wind the whole way.
From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser
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.
