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.

Adult Joshua trees are more resilient than seedlings, but they can still succumb to intense heat waves and drought.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

Future experiments may still uncover evidence of new particles or forces elsewhere, but for now, the Standard Model continues to withstand intense scrutiny.

From Science Daily • May 19, 2026

She resists, preferring to forget the intense physical and emotional pain of her life, but is lured by her longing to paint again.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

"The pressure was intense and after a while, I felt confused and psychologically exhausted. I just wanted the ordeal to end," Shrivastav told the BBC.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

The sunburn heat on the path was immediate and intense.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

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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