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
As protests over Israel’s war in Gaza continue to intensify, especially on college campuses, activists are preparing to be in Chicago this summer for the Democratic National Convention.
—
Jeremy W. Peters, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research NO: The Fed should not cut rates but may still do so in a futile attempt to forestall inevitably intensifying economic turmoil.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2024
Trade protection is likely only to intensify should former president Donald Trump win reelection.
—Enda Curran, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024
Here's why Does globe chamomile cause allergies? Globe chamomile is known to intensify seasonal allergies.
—Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 17 Apr. 2024
Climate change is intensifying risks to the nation’s transportation infrastructure.
—Justine Calma, The Verge, 12 Apr. 2024
In February, parliament unanimously passed a bill that will intensify the suppression of LGBTQ rights and punish those promoting lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender identities.
—Reuters, NBC News, 12 Apr. 2024
Additionally, the ban may intensify extremism and lead to billions of dollars in economic losses.
—Enayat Nasir, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2024
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
Jeremy W. Peters, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research NO: The Fed should not cut rates but may still do so in a futile attempt to forestall inevitably intensifying economic turmoil.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2024
Trade protection is likely only to intensify should former president Donald Trump win reelection.
—Enda Curran, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024
Here's why Does globe chamomile cause allergies? Globe chamomile is known to intensify seasonal allergies.
—Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 17 Apr. 2024
Climate change is intensifying risks to the nation’s transportation infrastructure.
—Justine Calma, The Verge, 12 Apr. 2024
In February, parliament unanimously passed a bill that will intensify the suppression of LGBTQ rights and punish those promoting lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender identities.
—Reuters, NBC News, 12 Apr. 2024
Additionally, the ban may intensify extremism and lead to billions of dollars in economic losses.
—Enayat Nasir, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2024
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
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 25 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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