intense
adjective
in·tense
in-ˈten(t)s 
1
a
: existing in an extreme degree
The excitement was intense.
intense pain
b
: having or showing a characteristic in extreme degree
intense colors
2
: marked by or expressive of great zeal, energy, determination, or concentration
intense effort
3
a
: exhibiting strong feeling or earnestness of purpose
an intense student
b
: deeply felt
intensely
adverb
intenseness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of intense in a Sentence
He shielded his eyes from the intense flash of light.
She has an intense dislike for her husband's friend.
After many years of intense study, he received his medical degree.
School reform is a subject of intense debate.
The work requires intense concentration.
He was an intense young man who was very determined to do well in school.
Recent Examples on the Web
Zoom in: Hurricane Francine's eye may pass close enough to New Orleans to bring some of the most intense winds uncomfortably close to the metro area.
—
Andrew Freedman, Axios, 12 Sep. 2024
Being on the show was intense and exhausting, Richard claims, with Combs subjecting the group to long rehearsal days, which sometimes began in the middle of the night.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2024
The most intense panics on Wall Street have tended to occur during the late summer and early autumn months.
—Bob Pisani, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2024
But the theorizing around WandaVision reached extremely rare levels, rivaling the intense speculation that came out of Star Wars: The Force Awakens back in 2015.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for intense 
Andrew Freedman, Axios, 12 Sep. 2024
Being on the show was intense and exhausting, Richard claims, with Combs subjecting the group to long rehearsal days, which sometimes began in the middle of the night.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2024
The most intense panics on Wall Street have tended to occur during the late summer and early autumn months.
—Bob Pisani, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2024
But the theorizing around WandaVision reached extremely rare levels, rivaling the intense speculation that came out of Star Wars: The Force Awakens back in 2015.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for intense
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intense.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near intense
Cite this Entry
“Intense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intense. Accessed 20 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
intense
adjective
in·tense
in-ˈten(t)s
1
: existing in an extreme degree
intense pain
2
: done or performed with great zeal, energy, or eagerness
intense study
3
: feeling deeply
an intense actor
intensely
adverb
intenseness
noun
Medical Definition
intense
adjective
in·tense
in-ˈten(t)s
1
a
: existing in an extreme degree
intense anxiety
b
: extremely marked or pronounced
a neurodermatitis with intense itching and burning of the skin—H. G. Armstrong
H. G. Armstrong
c
: very large or considerable
intense radiation
2
a
: feeling deeply especially by nature or temperament
b
: deeply felt
intense emotions
intensely
adverb
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