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
-
overintensificationnoun
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de-intensifyverb
-
overintensifyverb
-
self-intensifiedadjective
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self-intensifyingadjective
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unintensifiedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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intensifysimple
-
intensifiessimple
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have intensifiedperfect
-
has intensifiedperfect
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am intensifyingprogressive
-
are intensifyingprogressive
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is intensifyingprogressive
-
have been intensifyingperfect progressive
-
has been intensifyingperfect progressive
Past
-
intensifiedsimple
-
had intensifiedperfect
-
was intensifyingprogressive
-
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:
As the El Niño weather event in the Pacific Ocean continues to intensify it has been linked to wetter and stormier weather in the UK during late autumn and early winter.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026
The vote is largely symbolic but could intensify pressure on changing the university's leadership.
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026
Dementia can intensify feelings and memories, sometimes with unpleasant results.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 30, 2026
Should concerns over France intensify, German government bonds could once again be sought as a safe haven, Eyb & Wallwitz portfolio manager John Petersen said in a note.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
Picasso was probably aware of the theory that red and green are complementary colors which intensify each other.
From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson
If competition among AI companies intensifies, watch for financial pressure on Anthropic to mount.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026
Seeking volunteers lets companies avoid the optics of a surprise mega-layoff, especially as the public backlash to AI intensifies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026
Lagarde is also likely to face questions about her future as speculation intensifies she will step down before her term as ECB chief officially ends in October next year.
From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2026
As dry conditions develop elsewhere, fire activity intensifies in the central and eastern Amazon.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026
The light from the Obayifo’s stare intensifies for a moment.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
"Despite the stalemate outcome following the Israeli elections, the chances of a diplomatic breakthrough may be improving following intensified mediation efforts by Qatar and regional allies," said FOREX.com's Razan Hilal.
From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026
The dispute intensified after rulings by European institutions challenging the independence of the tribunal in its current form.
From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2026
U.S. stocks fell as an artificial-intelligence selloff intensified following disappointing earnings reports from Amazon and Intel.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
Ian Choudri took over in 2024 as scrutiny over the project intensified.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
The smell of dust and stone and sweat intensified.
From "The Reader" by Traci Chee
The company is grappling with a market downturn in China, intensifying competition, and growing pressure from Chinese brands in Europe.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
Researchers found Stage 3 CTE, intensifying concerns about brain trauma in racing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
He expects to see U.S. strikes intensifying in the coming months, and then both the U.S. and Iran opting for negotiations due to a “lack of economic and political capabilities to support a longer war.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2026
The measures could serve as a positive catalyst for Europe’s auto sector, which investors have largely shunned amid intensifying competition and weak profitability, he says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 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
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