-ˌfī verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: intense + -ify
transitive verb
1. : to make intense or more intensive : strengthen , increase , deepen
are intensifying our sales effort — Wall Street Journal
intensify farming on a wide scale — Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
2.
a. : to increase the density and contrast of (an image on a photographic film or plate) by treating with any of various reagents that act either by producing an additional deposit or by rendering the original deposit more opaque
b. : to make more acute : sharpen
intensify still more the resultant problems of health and nutrition — R.W.Steel
intransitive verb
: to become intense or more intense: as
a. : to grow stronger : increase , deepen
within her own narrowed sphere her sympathies seemed to intensify — McGill News
b. : to grow sharper or more acute
the drought has intensified and spread — K.S.Davis
rivalry among the three departments … is intensifying — Newsweek
Synonyms:
aggravate , heighten , enhance : intensify indicates a deepening or strengthening until very noticeable or unusually deep or strong
in the lustrous air all colors were intensified — Mary Webb
the depression of the early thirties intensified his dissatisfaction with the capitalist system — Granville Hicks
aggravate , often used in connection with the unpleasant or evil, applies to an increase in seriousness and demand for attention
the external symptoms of decline have served to aggravate long existing internal tensions — J.G.Colton
the din of its two small rooms aggravated by the peripheral racket that came from the kitchen — Jean Stafford
heighten may suggest a lifting above the ordinary or accustomed
a painter discards many trivial points of exactness, in order to heighten the truthfulness of a few fundamentals — C.E.Montague
a dramatic incident may heighten the popular indignation that leads toward war — Dexter Perkins
enhance suggests a lifting or strengthening above normal, especially in attractiveness, desirability, or value
the charm of this wild land is enhanced by the presence of deer and the famous forest ponies — S.P.B.Mais
a blue serge suit freshly pressed which enhanced the impression he gave of neatness and cleanliness — Henry Miller
the political prestige of the C.I.O. was enhanced by the election — Collier's Year Book