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.

The latest episode was the most intense fighting in months and came at a time when diplomatic efforts have stalled.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

As M88 approaches this gravitational giant, it will face an intense process known as ram pressure stripping.

From Science Daily • Jun. 1, 2026

The artificial-intelligence buildout is driving intense demand for networking and servers, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise is reaping the rewards.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

The committee’s chairman, Ken Martin, shared the postelection autopsy after coming under intense pressure from Democratic operatives, and apologized for how he handled its release.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026

The intense fury that’s traveling up and down my spine causes my hand to shake as I make my way to the third display.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

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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