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.

Because of their intense heat and radiation, these planets provide scientists with ideal natural laboratories for studying atmospheric chemistry and cloud behavior under extreme conditions.

From Science Daily • May 27, 2026

“If you’re doing intense work, you need to have this HBM DRAM,” he said.

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

Scientists say human-driven climate change is amplifying such extremes, with weather events like heatwaves, droughts and floods becoming more intense and frequent.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

Proponents note that it requires a great deal of experience and specialized skills, often in managing the intense feelings it can stir, which can overwhelm a patient and the therapist alike.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

The clay was baked hard in prolonged, intense firing.

From "Abel's Island" by William Steig

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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