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.

Franchisees of ultra-cheap chains face thinning profits, rising costs, and intense price wars, despite corporate gains.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

You’re renowned for your work in intense films like “Till” and “The Piano Lesson.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

A few state lawyers quietly reached out to Kessler in February, worried about the impact of Live Nation’s months of intense lobbying.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

According to the latest European State of the Climate report, Europe is the fastest warming continent in the world with heatwaves becoming more frequent and more intense.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

“Well, not the goal itself. Or the whole intense battle with Jonah. But—the fact that you put yourself out there and don’t hide what you’re going for. You own it.”

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

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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