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
in·ten·si·fi·ca·tion
ə̇n‧ˌten(t)səfəˈkāshən
plural -s
: the act, process, or an instance of intensifying
an intensification of a process that has already been long at work—
Barbara Ward
Barbara WardExamples of intensify in a Sentence
Verb
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
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 17 June 2026
Night sweats interrupt sleep and poor sleep intensifies everything else.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 17 June 2026
As geopolitical unease intensified last year, central banks and retail investors worldwide piled into gold.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 17 June 2026
At the same time, the pace of technological change is accelerating, and global competition is intensifying.
—Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for intensify
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Verb
The remarks come as Beijing has intensified scrutiny of capital markets this year, including a regulatory crackdown on cross-border stock trading by mainland investors, and reflect growing concern that the AI rally sweeping Chinese equities has created openings for market abuse.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 17 June 2026
Night sweats interrupt sleep and poor sleep intensifies everything else.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 17 June 2026
As geopolitical unease intensified last year, central banks and retail investors worldwide piled into gold.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 17 June 2026
At the same time, the pace of technological change is accelerating, and global competition is intensifying.
—Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for intensify
Cite this Entry
“Intensify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intensify. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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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