intense
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- extreme, acute, deep, excessive, fierce, great, powerful, profound, severe
- passionate, ardent, fanatical, fervent, fierce, heightened, impassioned, vehement

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Antonyms: subdued, slight
Related Words: aggravated, enhanced, heightened, intensified, accentuated, emphasized, stressed

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

in‧tense W3 AC /ɪnˈtens/ adjective
[Word Family: noun: intensity; adverb: intensely; adjective: intense]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: Latin intensus, a past participle of intendere; ⇒ intend]

1. having a very strong effect or felt very strongly:
Young people today are under intense pressure to succeed.
the intense heat of the desert
The pain was so intense I couldn’t sleep.
He took an intense interest in all religious matters.
a look of intense dislike

2. intense activity is very serious, uses a lot of effort, and often involves doing a great deal in a very short time:
The job demands intense concentration.
At least 3000 people were killed in a week of intense fighting.

3. someone who is intense is serious and has very strong feelings or opinions – used to show disapproval:
She’s a little too intense for me.
—intensely adverb:
He disliked Kate intensely.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

intense

intense pressure
The Prime Minister is under intense pressure to call a general election.
intense competition
There is intense competition for places on the course.
intense heat
He could feel the intense heat of the Egyptian sun.
intense cold
He was shivering with intense cold.
intense pain
She felt an intense pain in her right shoulder.
intense pleasure
Anne read the letter with intense pleasure.
an intense desire
Fred felt an intense desire to punch Max in the face.
an intense interest in something
The police are aware of the intense interest in the case.
intense dislike
He had taken an intense dislike to Robert.
intense activity
The opening of the restaurant was preceded by a period of intense activity.
intense debate
Abortion has become the subject of intense debate.
intense negotiations
The hostages were freed after intense negotiations.
intense scrutiny (=being examined very carefully)
The mining industry is coming under intense scrutiny over its environmental record.
intense speculation (=a lot of guessing about what may have happened)
After weeks of intense speculation, the actress announced that she was pregnant.
intense opposition
Locals have voiced intense opposition to plans to expand the airport.
intense feelings/emotion
Her lips trembled with intense emotion.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

intense
adjective
BAD: The government has embarked on an intense industrialization programme.
GOOD: The government has embarked on an intensive industrialization programme.

Usage Note:
intense = strong or very great; extreme: 'intense heat', 'intense pleasure', 'intense pain', 'intense competition'
intensive = concentrated: 'an intensive English course', 'a period of intensive training'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲