Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Extreme in degree, strength, or force: Describes something that is very strong, powerful, or extreme in its nature or effect.
   • Very deep or concentrated: Describes feelings, colors, or qualities that are very strong, vivid, or deeply felt.
   • Characterized by great effort or concentration: Describes an activity or focus that involves a high level of energy, attention, or seriousness.

Usage Examples

• Describing a strong feeling or state:
  • She felt intense joy when she received the news.
  • The athlete has an intense desire to win.
• Describing a powerful physical sensation:
  • He was suffering from intense pain after the accident.
  • The intense heat of the desert was overwhelming.
• Describing a vivid color or quality:
  • The sky was an intense blue after the storm.
  • The room was filled with the intense aroma of spices.

Advanced Usage

• "Intense" to describe a person or personality: Characterizing someone who is very serious, passionate, or emotionally deep.
  • He is an intense individual who is completely dedicated to his work.
• "Intense" to describe a period or activity: Characterizing a situation that involves a high level of pressure, effort, or concentration.
  • The final week of the project was an intense period of work.

Variants and Related Words

• Intensely (adverb): In an intense manner.
  • She stared intensely at the painting.
• Intensify (verb): To become or make more intense.
  • The winds began to intensify as the storm approached.
• Intensity (noun): The quality of being intense.
  • The intensity of his focus was remarkable.

Synonyms

• Extreme: Reaching a high or the highest degree.
• Powerful: Having great power, force, or effect.
• Severe: Very great; intense.
• Fierce: Having or displaying an intense or aggressive nature.
• Profound: Very great or intense.

Antonyms

• Mild: Not severe, serious, or harsh.
• Moderate: Average in amount, intensity, or degree.
• Weak: Lacking the power to perform physically demanding tasks; lacking intensity.

Related Phrases and Collocations

• Intense pressure: A situation involving a very high level of stress or demand.
  • The CEO works under intense pressure.
• Intense competition: A situation where rivalry is very strong.
  • There is intense competition for the top university spots.
• Intense scrutiny: Very close and critical observation or examination.
  • The new policy is under intense scrutiny from the media.

Adjective

1. (of color) having the highest saturation
   • vivid green
   • intense blue
2. extremely sharp or intense
   • acute pain
   • felt acute annoyance
   • intense itching and burning
3. possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
   • intense heat
   • intense anxiety
   • intense desire
   • intense emotion
   • the skunk's intense acrid odor
   • intense pain
   • enemy fire was intense