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Definitions

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.

Strengthening those signals made fear memories more intense, while weakening them reduced the response.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2026

Their Bruins’ pressure was so intense, Texas took 21 more shots and still lost by seven.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

The tariff should be seen as a warning for more intense competition between the U.S. and China’s biotech and pharma sectors, he says, noting that China has developed into a biopharma innovation hub.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Why hasn’t the defense sector fared better amid the intense military conflict?

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

During the 1950s and 1960s, the time of Bobby’s initial and then most intense ascent, an expenditure of just $5 was considered burdensome by both mother and son.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.