intensifiers
Words adding strength
Intensifiers are words that amplify or strengthen the meaning of other words, typically adjectives or adverbs.
Very, really, extremely, and absolutely are common intensifiers: very happy, really fast, absolutely certain.
Some intensifiers are vulgar (fucking brilliant) or informal (hella good).
Overuse weakens their effect—if everything is very important, nothing stands out.
To high degree
- extremelyTo an intense degree
- incrediblyTo an extreme degree
- absolutelyCompletely, without exception
- utterlyTo the fullest extent
totally · completely · thoroughly · deeply · highly · exceedingly · tremendously · immensely
To give emphasis
- underscoreLow horizontal text mark
- highlightMost notable part
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- emphasizeStress the importance of
punctuate · reinforce · foreground · spotlight · underline · sharpen · drive home · hammer home
Furthest from moderate
- absoluteTotal, without qualification
- utterTo vocalize words
- sheerAbsolute; also diaphanous
- totalComplete sum
complete · profound · maximum · thorough · radical · drastic · severe · ultimate
Forceful sudden utterance
- hyperboleRhetorical extreme exaggeration
- superlativeHighest-degree word form
- emphaticExpressed with force
- forcefulExerting strong pressure
vehement · expressive · dramatic · vivid · passionate · fervent · ardent · animated
Upward push or increase
- enhancementIncrease in quality
- magnificationDegree of visual enlargement
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
- augmentationAct of adding more
heightening · elevation · reinforcement · expansion · amplifying · deepening · redoubling · fortification
very
To high degree
- extremelyTo an intense degree
- incrediblyTo an extreme degree
- absolutelyCompletely, without exception
utterly · totally · completely · thoroughly · deeply · highly · exceedingly · tremendously · immensely · enormously
accentuate
To give emphasis
- underscoreLow horizontal text mark
- highlightMost notable part
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
emphasize · punctuate · reinforce · foreground · spotlight · underline · sharpen · drive home · hammer home · bring out
extreme
Furthest from moderate
total · complete · profound · maximum · thorough · radical · drastic · severe · ultimate · paramount
exclamation
Forceful sudden utterance
- hyperboleRhetorical extreme exaggeration
- superlativeHighest-degree word form
- emphaticExpressed with force
forceful · vehement · expressive · dramatic · vivid · passionate · fervent · ardent · animated · striking
boost
Upward push or increase
- enhancementIncrease in quality
- magnificationDegree of visual enlargement
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
augmentation · heightening · elevation · reinforcement · expansion · amplifying · deepening · redoubling · fortification · strengthening
- grammardeclension, pronouns, adjectives, conjugation, nouns
- modifiersadjectives, modifier, modifiers, adjective, adverb
- enhancersamplifiers, boosters, enhancers, magnifiers, strengtheners
- fluid powerhydraulic ram, hydraulic pumps, hydraulic fluid, hydraulic oil, cylinders
- adverbsquickly, slowly, very, really, now
- comparisoncomparative, contrast, superlative, matching, positive
intensifiersdiminishers
Things that lessen magnitude
attenuators · mitigators · minimizers · moderators · softeners
intensifierslitotes
Understatement via negation
understatements · hedges · qualifiers · understaters · dampeners
- image intensifierDevice amplifying faint light