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
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overintensificationnoun
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de-intensifyverb
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overintensifyverb
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self-intensifiedadjective
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self-intensifyingadjective
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unintensifiedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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intensifysimple
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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
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has been intensifyingperfect progressive
Past
-
intensifiedsimple
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had intensifiedperfect
-
was intensifyingprogressive
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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:
In 2022, Powell shocked investors with a blunt Jackson Hole speech that warned of potential job losses and economic pain as the central bank looked to intensify its battle against inflation.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026
“In response, we will intensify our voter outreach and educational initiatives to ensure individuals are fully informed and aware of any adjustments to the voting process.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026
Bessent signaled that the pressure campaign is about to intensify, telling Newsmax more measures would be announced next week.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026
With climate change driving new heat records and longer dry spells in Europe and beyond, scientists warn that the problem will intensify in coming years.
From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026
Two American authors, best-sellers in the Holy Land, had helped to spread and intensify the concern for the American black man.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
Finding new markets has also become more imperative as competition among local and foreign companies intensifies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
But he admitted he worries what might happen if the campaign intensifies.
From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026
Fifa president Gianni Infantino will meet with senior leaders of football's world governing body on Wednesday as criticism of his now scrapped plan to sell off Fifa's commercial and event operations intensifies.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
The numbers: The U.S. economy improved in July and businesses ramped up hiring, but the gains could prove short-lived if the conflict with Iran intensifies, oil prices climb even higher and inflation worsens.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
“To speak of the curse only intensifies the curse.”
From "Louisiana's Way Home" by Kate DiCamillo
US calls for lawmakers to pass the drone bill had intensified in recent weeks.
From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026
Last week’s announcement that U.S. government debt has reached $40 trillion triggered alarm in global financial markets, and the rise of long-term interest rates to their highest level since 2007 intensified this concern.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
In turn, there is intensified competition on the road which means riders might take greater risks to secure higher finishing points.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
And in the last quarter-century, relentless drought intensified by climate change has sapped the river’s flow and left its reservoirs severely depleted.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
School started again in a few weeks, which was a relief because my quarrels with Gay had intensified.
From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter
In the last few years, multiple studies have shown that global warming is intensifying drought and worsening water scarcity in California and the western United States.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
"What is changing is the role hotter summers are playing in making water scarcer and intensifying tensions that already existed."
From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026
Smoke particles scattered even more of the remaining blue wavelengths, intensifying the golden tones in the visible light surrounding the eclipsed Sun.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026
Officials said some tourists were staying away because of the intensifying heatwaves in the Italian capital.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
The serious, systematic study of medicine was intensifying, and to scientists the human body was like the polar icecap, something to be studied and explored.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
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.
