intense

adjective
in·​tense | \ in-ˈten(t)s How to pronounce intense (audio) \

Definition of intense

1a : existing in an extreme degree the excitement was intense intense pain
b : having or showing a characteristic in extreme degree intense colors
2 : marked by or expressive of great zeal, energy, determination, or concentration intense effort
3a : exhibiting strong feeling or earnestness of purpose an intense student
b : deeply felt

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Other Words from intense

intensely adverb
intenseness noun

Examples of intense in a Sentence

He shielded his eyes from the intense flash of light. She has an intense dislike for her husband's friend. After many years of intense study, he received his medical degree. School reform is a subject of intense debate. The work requires intense concentration. He was an intense young man who was very determined to do well in school.
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Recent Examples on the Web

Quang Nam is just below Thua Thien Province, where the ancient capital of Hue was located, and the site of intense fighting during the Tet offensive of 1968, in which there was a total of over 125,000 casualties by all sides of the conflict. Kevin Dayhoff, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Dayhoff: Stretch of Md. 75 to be dedicated to fallen local hero, Russel Milberry," 16 Aug. 2019 Alaska, Central Europe, northern and southwestern parts of Asia, and parts of Africa and Australia suffered the most intense departures from normal high temperatures, experiencing their hottest year to date. Sophie Lewis, CBS News, "July was the hottest month ever recorded on Earth," 15 Aug. 2019 Russell Westbrook is already one of the most intense players in the NBA. Rohan Nadkarni, SI.com, "Comeback Season: Seven NBA Stars With the Most to Prove in 2019-20," 14 Aug. 2019 The most intense heat Tuesday had been expected in Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and Alabama, and in areas near Memphis. Washington Post, "National digest: Southern states are under heat advisories and warnings," 14 Aug. 2019 Previously, the Indo-Pacific reefs were also hit by mass coral bleaching and heat stress in 1983, 1998, 2005 and 2010, before the world's most intense, longest and largest bleaching event between 2014 and 2017. Ashley Strickland, CNN, "Scientists studied 2,500 coral reefs to figure out how to save them," 12 Aug. 2019 New Hubble telescope images of Jupiter taken this summer show the planet’s famous Great Red Dot and some of the most intense colors in the cloud bands that circle the planet that scientists have seen. Lee Roop | Lroop@al.com, al, "New Hubble pictures of Jupiter fascinate scientists," 9 Aug. 2019 Nonetheless, the film’s most intense action and gravest danger is emotional; its melodrama suggests a much larger span of action, including flashbacks. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, "A Nineteen-Fifties TV Series That Let Directors Run Free," 30 July 2019 Kittenish Look Liner Jill Stuart jillstuart-beauty.com $2.00 SHOP IT The perfect cateye lasts all day with Jill Stuart’s long-wear formula, allowing you to rock the most intense wing without the dreaded midday smudging. Hana Hong, Marie Claire, "How to Apply Liquid Eyeliner Like a Pro: A Fast and Easy Guide," 26 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intense.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of intense

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for intense

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin intensus, from past participle of intendere to stretch out

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More Definitions for intense

intense

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of intense

: very great in degree : very strong
: done with or showing great energy, enthusiasm, or effort
of a person : very serious

intense

adjective
in·​tense | \ in-ˈtens How to pronounce intense (audio) \

Kids Definition of intense

1 : very great in degree : extreme intense heat
2 : done with great energy, enthusiasm, or effort intense concentration
3 : having very strong feelings an intense person

Other Words from intense

intensely adverb

intense

adjective
in·​tense | \ in-ˈten(t)s