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
If the debt is eventually sold to a collection agency, the communication attempts may intensify.
—
Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
For both teams and television partners, the short-term change is tactical, with holiday windows expected to feature marquee matchups and intensified promotional investment.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
Together, the developments highlight intensifying competition to shape the future of aerial warfare as the Pentagon pushes toward autonomous, lower-cost combat aircraft.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025
That revelation is likely to intensify scrutiny over why the investigation dragged on for nearly five years and why previous FBI leadership failed to capitalize on the information that ultimately led to Cole’s arrest.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intensify
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Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
For both teams and television partners, the short-term change is tactical, with holiday windows expected to feature marquee matchups and intensified promotional investment.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
Together, the developments highlight intensifying competition to shape the future of aerial warfare as the Pentagon pushes toward autonomous, lower-cost combat aircraft.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025
That revelation is likely to intensify scrutiny over why the investigation dragged on for nearly five years and why previous FBI leadership failed to capitalize on the information that ultimately led to Cole’s arrest.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intensify
Cite this Entry
“Intensify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intensify. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.
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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