intense
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for intense, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Extremely strong, forceful, or extreme in degree.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
How to use intense
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin intensus, "stretched tight, strained," from intendere, "to stretch out."
Full origin of intense →Frequently asked questions
What does “intense” mean?
The word “intense” means extremely strong, forceful, or extreme in degree. In plain terms, very strong or extreme — used for feelings, heat, effort, or a person's manner.
How do you pronounce “intense”?
“Intense” is pronounced ihn-TEHNS (/ɪnˈtɛns/ in IPA).
How do you use “intense” in a sentence?
Here is “intense” used in a sentence: “The heat was intense enough to melt the tarmac.”
What part of speech is “intense”?
“Intense” is an adjective.
Where does the word “intense” come from?
The word “intense” comes from Latin. From Latin intensus, "stretched tight, strained," from intendere, "to stretch out.".
Is “intense” a common word?
“Intense” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “intense” have?
“Intense” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extremely strong, forceful, or extreme in degree.
What is the difference between intense and intensive?
"Intense" describes something extremely strong or extreme in degree, such as intense heat, intense pain, or intense pressure. "Intensive" describes something concentrated, involving a great deal of effort or activity in a short time, such as an intensive course or intensive care. Swapping them is a common mistake: a feeling is intense, while a training programme is intensive.
What are common collocations with intense?
"Intense" frequently pairs with nouns of force or feeling: intense heat, intense pressure, intense pain, intense competition, intense scrutiny, and intense debate. It also modifies emotions directly, as in intense fear or intense joy.
Is intense formal or informal?
"Intense" is register-neutral and works in both academic writing and everyday speech. In casual conversation it is also used as a standalone reaction, as in "That was intense!", meaning an experience was overwhelming or dramatic.
