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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

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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 The intense competitive pressure among AI firms, which have a much stronger incentive to innovate quickly than to ensure their innovations are safe, enhances the case further. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026 Oasis’s Live ’25 was one of the biggest tours of the decade, marking the band’s first performances in 15 years after brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher’s intense skirmishes led to the band breaking up in 2009. — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026 The outbreak in eastern Congo is spreading under extremely difficult conditions, fueled by insecurity, displacement, a health workers' strike and intense population movements. — Jean-Yves Kamale, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026 At home, the intense witness to injustice was, well, intense. — Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 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
  • The second cohort members are all to become part of the intensive acceleration phase that’s steered by the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership innovation team, with a concentration on pilot readiness.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The inaugural Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival Filmmaker Retreat, a four-day intensive program for filmmakers based in the Mid-South/South, held in partnership with Indie Media Arts South, launching October 10 – 13.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of intensive
Adjective
  • Charland said the community has become passionate about the museum.
    — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
  • There were also passionate tributes this evening to outgoing Festival director José Luis Rebordinos, who steps down after this year’s edition, his 17th at the helm.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of passionate
Adjective
  • Given the fierce competition to attract international productions, does SETT also represent a shift from attracting productions to supporting globally competitive Spanish companies that own intellectual property and can export it to the world?
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
  • In Season 3, David’s transformation from outcast shepherd to fierce warrior to chosen King is finally complete.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • That means typically warmer water, such as around Indonesia, moves east to a normally cooler part of the Pacific, near Peru — pushed along by Kelvin waves.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • This August was Earth’s hottest on record and could mark the start of a record-breaking warm stretch that would likely culminate in a record-hot 2027 — and possibly 2026 — globally.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of warm
Adjective
  • The relationship between Xi and Zhang went back decades, extending not just to their childhoods but all the way back to their fathers, who were comrades in arms in China’s ferocious civil war.
    — Jonathan A. Czin, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The ferocious drummer Martin Chambers, with his knifey sideburns, completed the quartet.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Sep. 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
  • This appointment arrives as Nike navigates deep operational restructuring and severe market headwinds.
    — , CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The work is meant to address the 3- to 6-inch-deep depression on Pocket Road, city spokesperson Carlos Eliason said.
    — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of deep
Adjective
  • Greengrass surrounds Garfield with actors who deliver bigger performances, like Jarvis as the brutish but shrewd Tyler, and Bell as the fervent Ball.
    — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Egged on by fervent commentary from the announcer, fans cheered, jumped and waved Germany flags at the Berlin Arena to help the home team keep its momentum going.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of fervent

Browse Nearby Words

intends
intense
intensely
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Cite this Entry

“Intense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intense. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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