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.

Conversations to try to find a way to work together were intense.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026

Around one million years ago, Earth experienced a major climate transition in which ice ages became longer, colder, and more intense.

From Science Daily • May 29, 2026

This intense customization makes the therapy incredibly difficult to scale up, and the profit margins relatively narrow compared with standard drugs.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

The review comes after an intense period of campaigning involving charities, Olympian Sir Chris Hoy, who has terminal prostate cancer, as well as former Prime Ministers David Cameron and Rishi Sunak.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

The countdown hit one, and the air whooshed from my lungs as a sudden intense pressure encased my body.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Vocabulary lists containing intense

Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 4

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!