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
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
With oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz disrupted by the fallout from the US-Israel conflict with Iran, Washington’s focus on alternative routes has intensified.
—
Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
By midnight local time, nearly six inches of snow had accumulated outside the Boulder office with the precipitation expected to intensify overnight across the Denver metro area.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 6 May 2026
These pressures are only intensifying as the AI boom moves from software into physical infrastructure, and demand for computing capacity grows exponentially.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Fire officials said that open doors near a central staircase allowed the flames to intensify and shoot upstairs to other apartments.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for intensify
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Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
By midnight local time, nearly six inches of snow had accumulated outside the Boulder office with the precipitation expected to intensify overnight across the Denver metro area.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 6 May 2026
These pressures are only intensifying as the AI boom moves from software into physical infrastructure, and demand for computing capacity grows exponentially.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Fire officials said that open doors near a central staircase allowed the flames to intensify and shoot upstairs to other apartments.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 5 May 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 9 May. 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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