intensify
verb
in·ten·si·fy
in-ˈten(t)-sə-ˌfī 
intensified; intensifying
: to become intense or more intensive : grow stronger or more acute
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
Synonyms
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
Ukraine has reported intensifying Russian uses of chemical weapons, beginning with irritants, but with the potential for the more lethal kinds of attacks that characterized the Syrian war.
—
Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024
The blockade has intensified since October, and humanitarian workers and government officials working to deliver aid to Gaza have said Israel is demonstrating a clear pattern of obstruction.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
Since the series came out, conversations around workplace safety in children’s television have intensified, especially as many on social media have discussed the revelations of what the stars of their nostalgic childhood TV favorites endured when the cameras weren’t rolling.
—Moises Mendez Ii, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
The situation has only intensified in the years since, with conservative candidates and personalities launching challenges and criticism at Maricopa County before, during and after the 2022 election.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024
The quick shift in light conditions during a total solar eclipse intensifies this phenomenon since our eyes don’t have much time to adjust to the change.
—Justine Calma, The Verge, 8 Apr. 2024
Over the past half-decade, Congress has held dozens of hearings on data privacy as political scrutiny of technology companies’ alleged privacy abuses intensified, with lawmakers unveiling a flurry of proposals aimed at tackling those concerns.
—Cristiano Lima-Strong, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024
Venus’ harmonious connection to Pluto intensifies a romantic connection!
—USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
Loop’s Robert Hampson mixed the record, intensifying its murky allure.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 5 Apr. 2024
Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024
The blockade has intensified since October, and humanitarian workers and government officials working to deliver aid to Gaza have said Israel is demonstrating a clear pattern of obstruction.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
Since the series came out, conversations around workplace safety in children’s television have intensified, especially as many on social media have discussed the revelations of what the stars of their nostalgic childhood TV favorites endured when the cameras weren’t rolling.
—Moises Mendez Ii, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
The situation has only intensified in the years since, with conservative candidates and personalities launching challenges and criticism at Maricopa County before, during and after the 2022 election.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024
The quick shift in light conditions during a total solar eclipse intensifies this phenomenon since our eyes don’t have much time to adjust to the change.
—Justine Calma, The Verge, 8 Apr. 2024
Over the past half-decade, Congress has held dozens of hearings on data privacy as political scrutiny of technology companies’ alleged privacy abuses intensified, with lawmakers unveiling a flurry of proposals aimed at tackling those concerns.
—Cristiano Lima-Strong, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024
Venus’ harmonious connection to Pluto intensifies a romantic connection!
—USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
Loop’s Robert Hampson mixed the record, intensifying its murky allure.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 5 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intensify.' 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 intensify
Cite this Entry
“Intensify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intensify. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
intensify
verb
in·ten·si·fy
in-ˈten(t)-sə-ˌfī
intensified; intensifying
: to make or become intense or more intensive
intensifier
noun
-ˈten(t)-sə-ˌfī(-ə)r
Medical Definition
intensify
verb
in·ten·si·fy
in-ˈten(t)-sə-ˌfī
intensified; intensifying
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
: to become intense or more intensive : grow stronger or more acute
the sore throat, headache, and fever intensified as the disease progressed
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