intensify

[in-ten-suh-fahy] / ɪnˈtɛn səˌfaɪ /

VERB

make more forceful, severe

Synonyms

STRONGEST

add to aggravate boost build up deepen enhance escalate exacerbate heat up heighten increase quicken raise redouble reinforce set off sharpen step up strengthen

STRONG

accent accentuate aggrandize augment brighten concentrate darken emphasize exalt lighten magnify point rise rouse spike stress whet

WEAK

add fuel beef up intensate pour it on tone up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

decrease diminish discourage dull halt help hinder hurt lessen lower reduce slow soften soothe subtract undermine weaken

STRONG

darken debase degrade depress play down upset

WEAK

calm

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.

On Wall Street, chatter about a summer “melt-up” has started to intensify.

From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026

By ramping up its rhetoric, is Russia also about to intensify its war?

From BBC • May 26, 2026

On Wall Street, chatter about a summer “melt-up” has started to intensify.

From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026

“It will cause Beijing to intensify its efforts to test the boundaries of what it can gain in terms of loosening America’s commitment to Taiwan’s security.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

Someone’s elbow presses me to a wall, and I just stand and watch the pandemonium intensify.

From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth

Vocabulary lists containing intensify

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