Intense

/ɪnˈtɛns/ · adjective

Meaning

Of a characteristic: extreme or very high or strong in degree; severe; also, excessive, towering..

Definitions by Sense

1. Of a characteristic: extreme or very high or strong in degree; severe; also, excessive, towering.
2. Of a thing: possessing some characteristic to an extreme or very high or strong degree.
3. Of feelings, thoughts, etc.: strongly focused; ardent, deep, earnest, passionate.
4. Of a person: very emotional or passionate.
5. (also figurative) Under tension; tightly drawn; strained, stressed, tense.

Example Sentences

Nor was I yet able to passe through any of the narrower streets, but kept the widest; the ground and air, smoake and fiery vapour, continu'd so intense that my haire was almost sing'd, and my feete unsufferably surbated.

[…] Nature had a robe of glory on, / And the bright air o'er every shape did weave / Intenser hues, so that the herbless stone, / The leafless bough among the leaves alone, / Had being clearer than its own could be, […]

[…] Pietro di Medici then gave, at the period of one great epoch of consummate power in the arts, the perfect, accurate, and intensest possible type of the greatest error which nations and princes can commit, respecting the power of genius entrusted to their guidance.

Floods in northern India, mostly in the small state of Uttarakhand, have wrought disaster on an enormous scale. The early, intense onset of the monsoon on June 14th swelled rivers, washing away roads, bridges, hotels and even whole villages.

[T]h' intense atom glows / A moment, then is quenched in a most cold repose.

These pendent lamps and chandeliers are bright / As earthly fires from dull dross can be cleansed; / Yet could my eyes drink up intenser beams / Undazzled—this is darkness—when I close / These lids, i see far fiercer brilliances,— […]

As the night came on the yellow stars grew more intense overhead, but the lambent glow in the north did not pale.

intense study

Synonyms for intense

Antonyms for intense

Related Words

Word Forms

• intenser
• more intense
• intensest
• most intense

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions