Meaning & use
intensified
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“intensified” is a form of “intensify”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitive
Became stronger, more serious, or more extreme.
Grammar: No object; the subject is the thing that grows stronger, e.g. The storm intensified.
Patterns
- something intensified
- intensified over time
The fighting intensified after the peace talks failed.
As evening came, the cold intensified and we hurried indoors.
Public pressure intensified when the report was published.
verbtransitive
Made something stronger, more serious, or more extreme.
Grammar: Takes an object: They intensified their efforts.
Patterns
- intensify something
- intensify the pressure
The government intensified its campaign against fraud.
She intensified her training before the race.
New technology has intensified competition among airlines.
Word forms
| third person singular | intensifies |
|---|---|
| past tense | intensified |
| past participle | intensified |
| -ing form | intensifying |
Common combinations
- intensify pressure
- The union intensified pressure on management to raise pay.
- intensify efforts
- Rescue teams intensified their efforts as the night wore on.
- intensify competition
- Online sales have intensified competition among small shops.
- intensify the conflict
- The border incident intensified the conflict between the two countries.
Synonyms and how they differ
- strengthen
- Strengthen means to make or become stronger in general, while intensify suggests making something already strong even more extreme or concentrated.
- escalate
- Escalate is used mostly for conflicts, problems, or costs that grow worse; intensify can also describe weather, feelings, or efforts.
- heighten
- Heighten often refers to feelings or awareness, e.g. heighten tension, and is slightly more formal than intensify.
Opposites
Word family
- intensify verb
- The base verb meaning to become or make stronger.
- intense adjective
- Very strong or extreme, as in intense heat.
- intensity noun
- The quality of being strong or extreme, or the measured strength of something.
- intensive adjective
- Involving a lot of effort or activity in a short time, as in intensive care.
Commonly confused: intensified or intent?
intensified vs intent
Intent is a noun or adjective meaning purpose or determined, and sounds similar but is not related in meaning.
Practice
The rescue operation ___ after the second earthquake.
Choose one answer.
The past-tense verb 'intensified' fits because the sentence describes something that became stronger at a past time. 'Intensive' is an adjective, 'intensity' is a noun, and 'intensify' is the base form, which would not agree with the past-time context.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “intensified”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.