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intensify Definition

in·ten·sify (in ten′sə fī′)

transitive verb -·fied′, -·fy′·ing

  1. to make intense or more intense; increase; strengthen
  2. Photog. to make (a film, etc.) more dense or opaque by treating with an intensifier

intransitive verb

to become intense or increase in intensity

intensify Related Forms

in·ten′·si·fi·ca′·tion noun

intensify Synonyms

intensify

v.

strengthen, heighten, sharpen, emphasize, deepen, escalate, increase, aggravate, exacerbate, enhance, raise, point, step up, set off, tone up, brighten, lighten, darken, concentrate, redouble, augment, reinforce, magnify, amplify, add to, quicken, hop up*, jazz up*; see also increase 1, strengthen.

Antonyms decrease*, diminish*, relax.

intensify implies an increasing in the degree of force, vehemence, vividness, etc. his absence only intensified her longing; aggravate implies a making more serious, unbearable, etc. and connotes something that is unpleasant or troublesome in itself your insolence only aggravates the offense; to heighten is to make greater, stronger, more vivid, etc. so as to raise above the ordinary or commonplace music served to heighten the effect; enhance implies the addition of something so as to make more attractive or desirable she used cosmetics to enhance her beauty

intensify Usage Examples

Object

  • disagreement: Does the adoption of sustainability as the focus of policy intensify disagreements about the boundary between public and private development rights and obligations?
  • repression: Regrettably, India is stubbornly pursuing a military solution to Kashmir and has intensified repression, encouraged by an apparent international complacency.
  • cooperation: And so with all of our regional partners, we are intensifying counterterrorism cooperation.
  • offensive: But it will intensify the offensive against the working class, as capitalism seeks as always to make working people pay for its crisis.
  • exploitation: The capitalist's need to intensify the exploitation of the labor force manifests itself in constant pressure for workers to work harder or longer.
  • co-operation: On the other hand, there are areas where we should intensify co-operation.

Preposition: at

stage: The level of competence expected of students intensifies at each stage of the program.

Preposition: over

year: Attacks on all national minorities have intensified over the years.

Modifying Another Word

  • greatly: First of all, exploitation of the colonies will become greatly intensified.
  • dramatically: Russia views NATO expansion with great unease - an unease likely to have been dramatically intensified by the Kosovo crisis.
  • gradually: I will gradually intensify its use for this purpose.
  • rapidly: Within a short time the precipitation rapidly intensified ( spoiling the view!
  • thus: The mirror acts to amplify the energy of the pyramid thus intensifying the power of your healing requests.
  • rather: My feeling about that has intensified rather than lessened.

Used with why or when

  • when: Both the mental tiredness and the ache are intensified when combined with any mode of self-pity.
  • that: Partner and family attraction influences to conduct responsibilities to benefit the family and thus the involvement in responsibilities intensifies that elapses attention to spouse.
  • what: Globalization has in fact only intensified what was underway well before modernity.

Present participle complement

follow: Political tensions in the Middle East have intensified following a magazine article that reported US plans for a possible military attack against Iran.

Preposition: in

  • week: The debate about legalizing or decriminalizing cannabis has intensified in recent weeks.
  • year: That number is bound to rise as global warming intensifies in the years ahead.