intensify

Verb

• make the chemically affected part of (a negative) denser or more opaque in order produce a stronger contrast between light and dark

• become more intense
  • The debate intensified
    
  • His dislike for raw fish only deepened in Japan
    

• make more intense, stronger, or more marked
  • The efforts were intensified, Her rudeness intensified his dislike for her
    
  • Pot smokers claim it heightens their awareness
    
  • This event only deepened my convictions
    

• increase in extent or intensity
  • The Allies escalated the bombing
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  deepen , compound , heighten , escalate , step up
• Antonyms: 
  de-escalate , weaken , step down