intense

[in-tens] / ɪnˈtɛns /

ADJECTIVE

forceful, severe; passionate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acute bitter deep energetic excessive extraordinary extreme fierce great harsh heightened intensified intensive powerful profound protracted sharp strong violent vivid

WEAK

agonizing all-consuming ardent biting burning close concentrated consuming cutting diligent eager earnest exaggerated exceptional exquisite fanatical fervent fervid forcible full hard impassioned keen marked piercing pungent shrill stinging strained supreme undue vehement zealous

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aboveboard agreeable bland blunt calm dull gentle ignorant indistinct kind lazy low mild moderate nice pale peaceful shallow slow soft stupid superficial unimportant unintelligent weak

WEAK

low-key

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

You’re renowned for your work in intense films like “Till” and “The Piano Lesson.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

Western carmakers have also faced intense competition from Chinese carmakers, which are able to produce vehicles faster and more cheaply.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

A few state lawyers quietly reached out to Kessler in February, worried about the impact of Live Nation’s months of intense lobbying.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

Millions of people live with chronic nerve pain that can make even the lightest touch feel intense and unbearable.

From Science Daily • May 24, 2026

If his mental subcontractor detected a level of interest in what you had just said, it radioed a signal to the mother ship, which then wheeled around with the most intense focus.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Vocabulary lists containing intense

Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items

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The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 4

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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone

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