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
Scientists, as a group, lean more Democratic and less Republican than the rest of the public, a trend that seems to have intensified in recent decades.
—
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2025
West won't feel the fall preview Folks in the West would welcome some of the chill that will overtake the Midwest and Northeast: Dangerous heat is expected to intensify and expand in coverage over much of the western U.S. into the weekend, the National Weather Service said.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
Meanwhile, in North America, U.S.-Mexico tensions over the Rio Grande and Colorado River intensified in recent years as drought hampered treaty compliance.
—Eyal Harel, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
After a slow start to the North American monsoon season, forecasters say the atmospheric pattern is now intensifying, raising both hopes for drought relief and fears of flash flooding.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intensify
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Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2025
West won't feel the fall preview Folks in the West would welcome some of the chill that will overtake the Midwest and Northeast: Dangerous heat is expected to intensify and expand in coverage over much of the western U.S. into the weekend, the National Weather Service said.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
Meanwhile, in North America, U.S.-Mexico tensions over the Rio Grande and Colorado River intensified in recent years as drought hampered treaty compliance.
—Eyal Harel, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
After a slow start to the North American monsoon season, forecasters say the atmospheric pattern is now intensifying, raising both hopes for drought relief and fears of flash flooding.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 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 29 Aug. 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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