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
1
as in intensity
depth of feeling
she presents her religious convictions with an intenseness that makes some people uncomfortable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in aggressiveness
the quality or state of being forceful (as in expression)
every challenge that he undertakes is tackled with an intenseness that would exhaust most people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of intense
ABC News, 6 May 2026
Compared to the other contestants in the last four, neither Bayern Munich nor PSG face such regularly intense domestic matches, and Atletico are off the pace in La Liga.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 6 May 2026
The state police investigation is the first independent probe of federal agents’ actions during the intense immigration and deportation sweep that lasted more than two months.
—Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
The transition was intense, with many employees expected to work nights and weekends.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for intense
Adjective
Christian villages along the border with Israel have been mostly spared intense Israeli bombardment that has caused wide destruction in other parts of predominantly Shiite southern Lebanon.
—ABC News, 6 May 2026
Compared to the other contestants in the last four, neither Bayern Munich nor PSG face such regularly intense domestic matches, and Atletico are off the pace in La Liga.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 6 May 2026
The state police investigation is the first independent probe of federal agents’ actions during the intense immigration and deportation sweep that lasted more than two months.
—Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
The transition was intense, with many employees expected to work nights and weekends.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for intense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intense
Adjective
-
There is no specific treatment for hantavirus, but intensive ICU care — including ECMO, which oxygenates blood outside the body — can help patients in severe respiratory distress.—
Eva Flowe
May 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 May 2026
-
The biggest increases will be to inexpensive, perishable goods such as potatoes and onions, as well as fertilizer-intensive goods such as tomatoes.—
Wes Zebrowski,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Louisiana fans are passionate and have built a dynamic community.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
The tone of his voice grows more passionate.—
Chris Smith,
Vanity Fair,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
The intensity of its light continues to grow as Rich and Abby Zawadzki lead the way in the circle.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
The article explored the poignant sibling renaissance between Vuong and his younger brother Nicky after the death of their mother; the decade-wide gulf between their life experiences became less notable as the process of bereavement threw them together with great intensity.—
Sarah Moroz,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Embiid’s aggressiveness early — along with Tyrese Maxey’s speed and ability to put defenders in bad positions — put the Knicks in unfavorable foul trouble early.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
The team with the league’s highest payroll going down in the first round to a heavy underdog is bad for business, but Allen changed the entire dynamic with his defensive aggressiveness and rebounding.—
Jason Lloyd,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
But creating that space has proven challenging, with plans for two new shelters in the city limits abandoned in recent years after fierce neighborhood opposition.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 May 2026
-
Wildlife refuges and other nature areas protect 40% of Block Island, and residents are renowned for their fierce opposition to anything that might imperil their pristine Atlantic home.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Chris and Clare have written an incredibly funny and warm screenplay and Avgousta’s vision and experience promise to make this an enduring festive film.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
-
Ly notes these are often warm, high-friction areas with dense apocrine glands.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
There was a lot of emotion, a lot of talk.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Over the past 10 years, Quinn has seen an increase in challenging behavior and more emotions among her 6- and 7-year-olds, with a particular ramp-up since the pandemic.—
Stacker,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
The old saying that film does not lie is true here in the opening episode, as viewers get a glimpse at Williams’ basketball skills as a shooter and leaping ability as a ferocious dunker.—
Joe Davidson
May 7,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
-
In July 2023, daredevil physicists outfitted a high-altitude NASA plane with gamma-ray detectors and flew it straight over the core of some of the most ferocious storms on the planet — tropical storms in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intense. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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