intense

adjective

in-ˈten(t)s How to pronounce intense (audio)
Definition of intensenext
1
as in intensive
extreme in degree, power, or effect the intense cold of the polar regions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in passionate
having or expressing great depth of feeling an intense actor who favors edgy film roles

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of intense Furthermore, Skydance faces intense skepticism for consolidating so many studios and platforms under one corporate roof. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026 The competition to develop ever more capable AI models is intense and global. — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026 Philadelphia's historic Academy of Natural Sciences closed just short of its 200th birthday last week amid an intense effort by local residents, politicians and scientists to save it. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026 The pair’s links had been the subject of intense press coverage and speculation for years. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intense
  1. intensive
  2. passionate
  3. fierce
  4. warm
  5. ferocious
  6. passional
  7. deep
  8. fervent
Adjective
  • The Reaveys spent Callum’s early years performing their own intensive physical and speech therapies with him, determined their son would roll over, crawl, and learn to say his name.
    — Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • These are intensive oral sessions with examiners that are designed to test quick problem-solving and reveal knowledge depth.
    — Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of intensive
Adjective
  • Owners Hannah and Brandan Griffin are poets who are passionate about books and the Kansas City artistic community, according to the store’s website.
    — Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Macho Cowboy At the top of the pinnacle of power within the telenovela structure is the macho cowboy whose high emotional expressions of jealousy, anger, and confrontation are accepted as passionate acts of strength or romantic gestures.
    — Damaly Gonzalez, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of passionate
Adjective
  • The rare show of alignment among fierce rivals was soon countered by comments from Meta’s Zuckerberg and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, both of whom dismissed the slowdown idea.
    — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The book and series focus on the complicated romance of Canadian hockey prodigy Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Russian phenom Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), who are the fierce on-ice rivals and the league’s best players.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • Reflecting the vision of creative director Emily Smith, the boutique pairs clean lines and warm materials with intimate spaces for one-on-one styling.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In addition to that central pool, the spa complex contains a tepidarium (warm relaxation room), Byzantine hammam (steam room), salt cave, Watsu pool, yoga and fitness rooms, and an area for massages and other treatments.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of warm
Adjective
  • In the Atlantic, not a single hurricane has formed yet, a record for this late into hurricane season, due to ferocious wind shear brought on by El Niño.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • When the Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo in June, the natural instinct was to focus on the prodigious point production (57th all time), the volume rebounding (71st all time), the thunderous dunks and the ferocious forays to the basket.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of ferocious
Adjective
  • At Fox, Collier became known for his passional embrace of blockchain, NFTs and the whole Web3 space.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Nov. 2022
Definition of passional
Adjective
  • Shamet shot three-of-four from deep for 13 points in 16 minutes, and Clarkson scored seven points in nine minutes.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • With c, the followup to last year’s UNMUSIQUE, Lucy is now two full-length projects deep for deadAir, sporting a new distribution deal with Atlantic and trying to translate their dreamscapes for bigger crowds.
    — H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of deep
Adjective
  • Neither Shaggy nor Kartel has made any new comments, but all eyes are on the two superstars as the debate rages on in their comment sections, with their fervent fan bases warring on their behalf.
    — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The performance likely to have the most fervent admirers in Creed-Miles’ as Marianne, the reckless romantic who lets her heart lead her, with devastating results.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of fervent

Browse Nearby Words

intends
intense
intensely
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Cite this Entry

“Intense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intense. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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