intensify

verb

in·​ten·​si·​fy in-ˈten(t)-sə-ˌfī 

intensified; intensifying

intransitive verb

: to become intense or more intensive : grow stronger or more acute

transitive verb

1

: to make intense or more intensive : strengthen

2

a

: to make more acute : sharpen

b

: to increase the density and contrast of (a photographic image) by chemical treatment

intensification

in-ˌten(t)s-fə-ˈkā-shən 

-ˌten(t)-sə-

noun

Synonyms

• accentuate
• amp (up)
• amplify
• beef (up)
• boost
• consolidate
• deepen
• enhance
• heighten
• magnify
• redouble
• step up
• strengthen

Examples of intensify in a Sentence

We could hear the wind howling outside as the storm intensified.

They intensified their efforts to increase sales.

an intensified search for survivors

Recent Examples on the Web

The rhetoric coming from the White House was less hostile, but getting tough on China had become a political necessity for whoever was president, and the trade war only intensified. —Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024

China's naval maneuvers near Taiwan intensified over the weekend, with Taiwan's Defense Ministry reporting 14 warships, seven military aircraft, and four balloons in the region. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024

This fall, messages voicing support for Hamas have intensified on some campuses. —Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 9 Dec. 2024

By absorbing water from storms and flooding, wetlands can effectively reduce the risks and destructive effects of these disasters, which are intensifying and becoming more frequent because of a changing climate. —Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

intensify

verb

in·​ten·​si·​fy in-ˈten(t)-sə-ˌfī 

intensified; intensifying

: to make or become intense or more intensive

intensification

-ˌten(t)-sə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

intensifier

-ˈten(t)-sə-ˌfī(-ə)r

noun

Medical Definition

intensify

verb

in·​ten·​si·​fy in-ˈten(t)-sə-ˌfī 

intensified; intensifying

transitive verb

1

: to make intense or more intensive

2

a

: to increase the density and contrast of (a photographic image) by special treatment

b

: to make more acute

use of illicit drugs intensified the patient's condition

intransitive verb

: to become intense or more intensive : grow stronger or more acute

the sore throat, headache, and fever intensified as the disease progressed

intensification

-ˌten(t)s-(ə-)fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun