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
The protests intensified and grew into calls directly challenging Iran's theocracy.
—
CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
The largest anti-government demonstrations to rock Iran in recent years intensified Friday night, fueling fears of growing fatalities as authorities battle to suppress the protests.
—Arsalan Shahla, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2026
Research has shown that the warming climate, driven largely by the use of fossil fuels, has intensified the long stretch of mostly dry years.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The incident happened a day after a 37-year-old woman was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis, which has spurred protests across the nation as concerns of agents using increasingly risky or violent tactics intensify.
—Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for intensify
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CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
The largest anti-government demonstrations to rock Iran in recent years intensified Friday night, fueling fears of growing fatalities as authorities battle to suppress the protests.
—Arsalan Shahla, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2026
Research has shown that the warming climate, driven largely by the use of fossil fuels, has intensified the long stretch of mostly dry years.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The incident happened a day after a 37-year-old woman was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis, which has spurred protests across the nation as concerns of agents using increasingly risky or violent tactics intensify.
—Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 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 12 Jan. 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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