intense

adjective

in-ˈten(t)s How to pronounce intense (audio)
Definition of intensenext
1
as in intensive
extreme in degree, power, or effect the intense cold of the polar regions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in passionate
having or expressing great depth of feeling an intense actor who favors edgy film roles

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of intense That’s just one bucket of challenges; the company is also navigating intense competition for the components needed to power its AI models in the first place. — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2026 Fort Lauderdale officials shut down the Las Olas Bridge due to flooding on the north and south side, leading to an intense traffic jam. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from their roles as senior royals in 2020, citing intense media scrutiny and a lack of support from the palace. — Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026 At a beloved landmark like the Bruin, affection for an old movie palace can translate into intense trust in whoever promises to save it. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intense
  1. intensive
  2. passionate
  3. fierce
  4. warm
  5. ferocious
  6. passional
  7. deep
  8. fervent
Adjective
  • Manufacturers can scale output efficiently as energy-intensive heating is eliminated and chemical waste is reduced.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Manifesting intensive therapy and mandatory anger-management classes for Rob.
    — Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of intensive
Adjective
  • The colors are dour and muted, and the yearnings of the two elder Dashwood sisters—the self-abnegating Elinor (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and the passionate Marianne (Esmé Creed-Miles, a gimlet-eyed standout)—often play out in drearily candlelit rooms.
    — Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Bulgari staff is notably passionate about this garden and volunteers there on a regular basis.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of passionate
Adjective
  • But this latest poll reflects a fierce anti-Trump sentiment among Michigan voters.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • As the company navigates fierce critics and a wave of communities outside the Atlanta area ending their contracts, Flock has been tightening some standards on its own, nationwide.
    — Graham Hurley, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • Grab a pretty blouse and snappy loafers to wear for brunch dates on warmer autumn days, then pair them with a denim jacket and slouchy knee-high boots as the weather gets cooler.
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The week will start dry and warmer than normal, but rain chances return Tuesday and could dampen Halloween spirits, with a 40% chance of rain Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of warm
Adjective
  • One of the most celebrated objects from the India Museum is a mechanical wooden sculpture of a ferocious tiger gnawing at a British soldier’s throat.
    — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Wilson rocked the stanchion with a ferocious dunk in transition in the fourth quarter, only to have his next attempt at a full-court sprint smacked away by Jamal Shead, leading to a Leonard 3-pointer on the other end.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of ferocious
Adjective
  • At Fox, Collier became known for his passional embrace of blockchain, NFTs and the whole Web3 space.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Nov. 2022
Definition of passional
Adjective
  • Thunder general manager Sam Presti didn’t specify how long both will miss, but they are expected to miss months, at a minimum, putting their availability for any playoff run — especially a deep one — in serious doubt.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The formulation also contains the patented Cell-Ox Shield Technology, which combines sun protection with antioxidants for deeper skin protection.
    — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of deep
Adjective
  • As the night ended with some of the acts’ most fervent fans, the 2026 installment of Rolling Stone’s Musicians on Musicians came to a close.
    — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Strijd’s posts struck a chord online, and ignited interest in the show that did not appear nearly as fervent over the past few weeks.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of fervent

Browse Nearby Words

intends
intense
intensely
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Intense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intense. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of candidate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 SCRABBLE Dictionary

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All