intensify

verb

in·​ten·​si·​fy in-ˈten(t)-sə-ˌfī 

intensified; intensifying

intransitive verb

: to become intense or more intensive : grow stronger or more acute

transitive verb

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

intensification

in-ˌten(t)s-fə-ˈkā-shən 

-ˌten(t)-sə-

noun

Synonyms of intensify

• deepen
• enhance
• heighten
• strengthen

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

Trump, since returning to the White House, has intensified an effort started during the Biden administration to improve relations with the Saudi royals and move past Khashoggi's killing inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. —Arkansas Online, 21 Nov. 2025

What Happens Next The pattern of storms across the United States is expected to continue to evolve as Thanksgiving week unfolds, with new updates possible as the systems shift and intensify. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu earlier this week postponed his trip to this weekend's Group of 20 summit after promising to intensify rescue efforts. —CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025

In recent months, longstanding tension between King and Edmonds have intensified, escalating into a September altercation involving King, Edmonds' current wife, Kortnie, and police. —Amy McCarthy, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for intensify

• acidify
• alveoli
• areolae
• demystify
• detoxify
• disqualify
• diversify
• electrify
• exemplify
• fasciculi
• identify
• indemnify

Kids Definition

intensify

verb

in·​ten·​si·​fy in-ˈten(t)-sə-ˌfī 

intensified; intensifying

: to make or become intense or more intensive

intensification

-ˌten(t)-sə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

intensifier

-ˈten(t)-sə-ˌfī(-ə)r

noun

Medical Definition

intensify

verb

in·​ten·​si·​fy in-ˈten(t)-sə-ˌfī 

intensified; intensifying

transitive verb

1

: to make intense or more intensive

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

intransitive verb

: to become intense or more intensive : grow stronger or more acute

the sore throat, headache, and fever intensified as the disease progressed

intensification

-ˌten(t)s-(ə-)fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun