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
Where one structure meets another, at a phase boundary, their most useful properties intensify.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Nov. 2025
The winds will ease as the system drops into Southern California, but the flood threat will intensify as an atmospheric river feeds moisture from the ocean into the storm.
—Taylor Ward, CNN Money, 14 Nov. 2025
Several college football coaching jobs have opened in recent weeks and months, and as the season winds down, programs will soon intensify their searches for the next head coach to lead their teams.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
The attacks have intensified in recent weeks as Palestinians harvest their olive trees in an annual ritual.
—NPR, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intensify
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Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Nov. 2025
The winds will ease as the system drops into Southern California, but the flood threat will intensify as an atmospheric river feeds moisture from the ocean into the storm.
—Taylor Ward, CNN Money, 14 Nov. 2025
Several college football coaching jobs have opened in recent weeks and months, and as the season winds down, programs will soon intensify their searches for the next head coach to lead their teams.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
The attacks have intensified in recent weeks as Palestinians harvest their olive trees in an annual ritual.
—NPR, 13 Nov. 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 18 Nov. 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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