intense

adjective

in·tense | \ in-ˈten(t)s

Definition of intense

1a : 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

3a : exhibiting strong feeling or earnestness of purpose an intense student

b : deeply felt

Other Words from intense Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about intense

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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

In some rare cases, people can experience intense dehydration as well as life-threatening complication if the infection spreads. — Sophia Caraballo, Woman's Day, "Everything You Need to Know About Salmonella," 2 May 2019 Before things got even more intense, Joy cut to commercial. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "'The View' Fans Flipped Out on Meghan McCain and Joy Behar After Their Heated Fight," 3 Apr. 2019 Distress over the mind-body mismatch can become especially intense around puberty, and the risk of suicide shoots up for young people in this situation. — Denise Grady, The Seattle Times, "Anatomy does not determine gender, experts say," 22 Oct. 2018 To be clear, scientists are in agreement that in a warming world, hurricanes will become more intense, carry more rain, and cause worse coastal flooding. — Alex Ward, Vox, "US National Guard chief: “The climate is changing. I don’t know why.”," 12 Oct. 2018 The bruises around my eyes shined a bright greenish-purple, and I was swollen all over with some intense pressure in my head. — Allure, "I Got Rhinoplasty at 25 — Here's What to Expect From a Nose Job," 7 Aug. 2018 The intense clashes that lasted two days in the eastern Al Khabr mountains of Abyan province in May pitted some 500 local fighters against three dozen militants, witnesses said. — Sudarsan Raghavan, Washington Post, "U.S. airstrikes are pounding the group in Yemen, yet the militants fight on fiercely," 6 July 2018 Onscreen, Lister translates as both intense and persuasive. — Jill Gutowitz, Glamour, "Gentleman Jack Is a Period Drama I’ve Been Waiting My Whole Life to See," 22 Apr. 2019 Black holes are fields of intense gravity from which no matter, or light, escapes. — Sam Walker, WSJ, "Behind the Black-Hole Image: One Giant Leap for Teamwork," 20 Apr. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intense.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.