intensify
Make more acute
To intensify is to make or become stronger, more extreme, or more concentrated.
Fighting intensifies when it grows fiercer.
Colors intensify when they deepen.
The search intensified after new evidence emerged.
Her headache intensified throughout the day.
The word suggests escalation—something already present gaining force or severity.
Increase in degree
- magnifyIncrease perceived size
- amplifyIncrease in strength
- boostUpward push or increase
- enhanceIncrease in quality
increase · augment · escalate · elevate · strengthen · reinforce · redouble · multiply
Make more severe
- exacerbateMake a situation worse
- worsenBecome more severe
- compoundCombined into one
- inflameIntensify emotion or irritation
deteriorate · deepen · escalate · heighten · sharpen · accelerate · snowball · spiral
Raise the temperature
- inflameIntensify emotion or irritation
- fire upExcite into readiness
- stokeFeed a fire
- kindleStart a blaze
ignite · burn · sear · scorch · simmer · boil · smolder · blaze
Concentrated attention point
- concentrateReduced, potent form
- sharpenMake keener or finer
- honeMake keener or better
- narrowOf small width
pinpoint · tighten · distill · crystallize · refine · center · localize · converge
heighten
Increase in degree
enhance · increase · augment · escalate · elevate · strengthen · reinforce · redouble · multiply · maximize
aggravate
Make more severe
- exacerbateMake a situation worse
- worsenBecome more severe
- compoundCombined into one
inflame · deteriorate · deepen · escalate · heighten · sharpen · accelerate · snowball · spiral · surge
heat up
Raise the temperature
kindle · ignite · burn · sear · scorch · simmer · boil · smolder · blaze · flare
focus
Concentrated attention point
- concentrateReduced, potent form
- sharpenMake keener or finer
- honeMake keener or better
narrow · pinpoint · tighten · distill · crystallize · refine · center · localize · converge · channel
fortify
Make stronger against threat
- reinforceAdd strength to something
- bolsterStrengthen or buttress
- consolidateUnite separate things
solidify · toughen · stiffen · harden · cement · entrench · anchor · secure · buttress · brace
passion
Intense emotional drive
fever · frenzy · fury · rage · excitement · desire · longing · obsession · infatuation · devotion
- intensifyboost, amp up, amplify, escalate, enhance
- escalationescalation, escalate, ratchet up, worsen, crank it up
- growthgrowth, grow, growing, growth rate, increase
- verbsjump, be, speak, wait, do
- adjustmentsadjustment, tweaks, adjust, shifts, fixes
- build upaccumulate, amass, pile up, snowball, escalate
- intensive careSpecialized treatment for severe illness
- intensive care unitHospital ward for critical patients
- intensive trainingFocused, demanding instruction period
- intensive-care unitWard for critical patients
- high intensityExtreme force or effort
- intensive farmingMaximizing yield per acre
intensity, intensive, intensified, intensively, intensifying, intensifies, intensification, intensifier, intensifiers