as in deepening
to make markedly greater in measure or degree
intensified her efforts to preserve the town's historic buildings and landmarks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 intensifying
With early voting underway, candidates are intensifying their efforts in Austin and across the state ahead of primary election day.
—
Staff Photographer, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
Crisis intensifies Fuel shortages and blackouts have been intensifying in Cuba this month as the nation struggles to import oil for its power plants and refineries.
—Andrea Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
In central states, climate change has sharpened competition over land and water, intensifying clashes between farmers and herders.
—Yusuf Tuggar, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Viral videos and images showing aggressive tactics, including the detention of a 5-year old boy and the killings of Good and Pretti, have fueled widespread public unease with the enforcement tactics, intensifying pressure on lawmakers to act.
—Nik Popli, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
This causes the outer layers of the star to expand and cool, evolving into a red giant, while the interior of the core heats up, intensifying the rate of fusion within it.
—Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
Frydnes acknowledged that awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to individuals facing persecution can carry risks, potentially intensifying pressure against them.
—Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
The digital coin has been on a downward trajectory since hitting an all-time high above $126,000 in October with the sell-off intensifying over the last month.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Talks are intensifying between the Chicago Bears, the village of Arlington Heights, and state leaders as the team seeks to build a new stadium, and sources said state lawmakers are close to a deal to keep the Bears in Illinois.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Staff Photographer, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
Crisis intensifies Fuel shortages and blackouts have been intensifying in Cuba this month as the nation struggles to import oil for its power plants and refineries.
—Andrea Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
In central states, climate change has sharpened competition over land and water, intensifying clashes between farmers and herders.
—Yusuf Tuggar, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Viral videos and images showing aggressive tactics, including the detention of a 5-year old boy and the killings of Good and Pretti, have fueled widespread public unease with the enforcement tactics, intensifying pressure on lawmakers to act.
—Nik Popli, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
This causes the outer layers of the star to expand and cool, evolving into a red giant, while the interior of the core heats up, intensifying the rate of fusion within it.
—Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
Frydnes acknowledged that awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to individuals facing persecution can carry risks, potentially intensifying pressure against them.
—Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
The digital coin has been on a downward trajectory since hitting an all-time high above $126,000 in October with the sell-off intensifying over the last month.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Talks are intensifying between the Chicago Bears, the village of Arlington Heights, and state leaders as the team seeks to build a new stadium, and sources said state lawmakers are close to a deal to keep the Bears in Illinois.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intensifying
Verb
-
Prince William has deliberately distanced himself from Prince Harry, deepening a rift that remains unresolved six years later.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Political divides within countries are deepening, even among long-standing allies.—
Alan H.H. Fleischmann,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But even should the talks prove a failure, the effort to dampen the confrontational responses and heightening tensions would still be valuable in reducing the possibility of regional conflict.—
Nina Srinivasan Rathbun,
The Conversation,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Other artists have tried to tackle this melodrama by grounding us in specific characters’ perspectives, or by heightening the performances, but Fennell embraces the story’s fundamental absurdism by giving us absurd and often glorious images.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As a bonus, the exercise itself will in turn generate good feelings by increasing levels of dopamine and serotonin, two mood-enhancing neurotransmitters, that will reinforce the behavior.—
Leying Tang,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The award honors a Magic player who has dedicated his efforts off the court for the purpose of enhancing other’s lives.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
With Bloomingdale’s distancing itself from the competition and strengthening its luxury and contemporary profile, the challenge is clear — how to sustain the momentum and build upon last year’s gains.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
South Dakota state senators revived and approved a bill Tuesday that was described by its sponsor as strengthening parental rights, but was criticized by opponents for its potential to undercut protections against abuse and neglect, delay urgent health care decisions and encourage lawsuits.—
Meghan O’Brien,
States Newsroom,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intensifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intensifying. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
