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intensify

/ɪnˌtɛnsəˈfaɪ/

/ɪnˈtɛnsəfaɪ/

Other forms: intensified; intensifying; intensifies

To intensify is to increase the intensity, force, or power of something. If you snap a selfie and the colors aren't intense enough, you may be able to intensify them with a photo editor.

You can see the word "intense" in intensify, which clues you in to the meaning of the verb. When you make something more intense, you intensify it — make it more of whatever it is. Believe it or not, a pinch of salt can actually intensify the sweetness of the sugar in a cake. It makes it even sweeter. Storm chasers never know whether a tornado will continue to intensify or begin to abate as they approach — and the difference could mean life or death for them.

Definitions of intensify
  1. verb
    increase in extent or intensity
    synonyms: escalate, step up
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    Antonyms:
    de-escalate, step down, weaken
    reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of
    types:
    redouble
    double in magnitude, extent, or intensity
    type of:
    increase
    make bigger or more
  2. verb
    make more intense, stronger, or more marked
    “"The efforts were intensified", "Her rudeness intensified his dislike for her”
    synonyms: compound, deepen, heighten
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    types:
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    heat up, hot up, screw up
    make more intense
    fan
    make (an emotion) fiercer
    enhance, heighten, raise
    increase
    amplify
    increase the volume of
    sharpen
    make crisp or more crisp and precise
    heighten, sharpen
    make (one's senses) more acute
    potentiate
    increase the effect of or act synergistically with (a drug or a physiological or biochemical phenomenon)
    subtilise, subtilize
    make (senses) more keen
    type of:
    increase
    become bigger or greater in amount
  3. verb
    make the chemically affected part of (a negative) denser or more opaque in order produce a stronger contrast between light and dark
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    type of:
    alter, change, modify
    cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
  4. verb
    become more intense
    “The debate intensified
    synonyms: deepen
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    types:
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    build
    develop and grow
    redouble
    make twice as great or intense
    break open, burst out, erupt, flare, flare up, irrupt
    erupt or intensify suddenly
    condense
    become more compact or concentrated
    sharpen
    become sharp or sharper
    accelerate, quicken, speed, speed up
    move faster
    brisk, brisk up, brisken
    become brisk
    type of:
    increase
    become bigger or greater in amount
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