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.

As the show became more popular, the spotlight on its young stars grew more intense, fueling coverage in tabloids and entertainment magazines.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

As a result of intense lobbying by the branded pharmaceutical industry, patent-term extensions were born in the U.S. in the early 1980s under what is now more commonly known as the Hatch-Waxman Act.

From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026

The rocket hasn’t flown any customer satellites yet after intense flight tests and technical setbacks, and is consuming a huge amount of investment.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

Current models suggest rocky planets form near stars because intense radiation strips away gas surrounding developing planetary cores.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2026

Sir Fig Newton lay on my unmade bed, preening with intense resolve.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Vocabulary lists containing intense

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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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