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
Part of the pitch was all the at-bats that would come his way while Manny Machado was away at the World Baseball Classic, but even that competition has intensified with the addition of Nick Castellanos and Ty France after Miranda finalized his minor league deal in January.
—
Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
His interest in leucovorin is linked to the unproven theory that autism stems from mitochondrial dysfunction, which is intensified by vaccines.
—Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 16 Mar. 2026
Hezbollah is under massive bombardment as Israeli ground forces intensify operations in Lebanon.
—Richard Goldberg, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
As the battle was ongoing, firefighters said that there were 20-mile-per-hour winds blowing at the time, intensifying their response and leading to evacuations for several businesses in the surrounding area.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for intensify
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
His interest in leucovorin is linked to the unproven theory that autism stems from mitochondrial dysfunction, which is intensified by vaccines.
—Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 16 Mar. 2026
Hezbollah is under massive bombardment as Israeli ground forces intensify operations in Lebanon.
—Richard Goldberg, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
As the battle was ongoing, firefighters said that there were 20-mile-per-hour winds blowing at the time, intensifying their response and leading to evacuations for several businesses in the surrounding area.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 16 Mar. 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 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
