intense 1 of 2

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

intenseness

2 of 2

noun

1
as in intensity
depth of feeling she presents her religious convictions with an intenseness that makes some people uncomfortable

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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

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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
Adjective
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
  • Just a half-hour north of San Diego, the property is comprised of over 600 acres of hills, meadows, Japanese gardens, and citrus groves, including 30 miles of private hiking trails and five acres of bio-intensive gardens.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • On the cost side, Zuckerberg did acknowledge that Muse is currently very compute-intensive.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 22 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
  • Projects that communities had originally welcomed were suddenly met with fierce opposition, and companies had to improve.
    — Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • What is to come afterwards is when their world is on fire as the fierce Battle Of Okinawa Island takes them , and us, back to sad reality.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 23 Oct. 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
  • While countries like Sweden and France are pursuing similar deep geological repositories, Finland has officially crossed the finish line first.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • John Anderson, the beloved hitmaker known for his deep country warble, died on Wednesday at the age of 71.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 22 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
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Cite this Entry

“Intense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intense. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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