What does intensifying mean?
Intensifying describes the process of becoming stronger, more severe, or more emphatic, or the act of making something develop in that way. It is the present participle of intensify and is especially common before nouns such as efforts, pressure, scrutiny, competition, and conflict: “intensifying efforts to protect the coastline.” The word may concern a deliberate action, as when a government intensifies a campaign, or a developing situation, as when storms intensify offshore. It does not necessarily imply either a positive or negative outcome; its effect depends on what is being intensified. In editorial usage, intensifying can also be treated as an adjective, particularly in constructions such as “an intensifying debate.” Because it precisely conveys a continuing increase in force or importance, it is often more specific than the broader terms strengthen or heighten.
To make something stronger, more severe, or more emphatic, or to become progressively stronger or more severe.
"The organization is intensifying its efforts to reach rural communities."
The present participle is commonly used in progressive and participial constructions. The verb is transitive when meaning “to make stronger” and intransitive when meaning “to become stronger.”
Characterized by a progressive increase in strength, severity, or intensity.
"The report highlights the intensifying threat of coastal flooding."
This use is common in formal and journalistic prose, especially before nouns such as pressure, scrutiny, conflict, and competition.
Intensifying is to intensity what a telescope is to sight: both bring something previously muted into sharper focus.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does intensifying come from?
The word belongs to a family derived from Latin intensus, meaning “stretched,” “strong,” or “intense”; intensus in turn came from intendere, a combination of in- and tendere, associated with stretching. The English verb intensify developed through French from this Latin root and was used in English by the late 16th century. Intensifying therefore literally conveys the idea of making something “strong” or “stretched” in intensity.
Related word forms
How intensifying is actually used
Intensifying is the present participle of the verb intensify and is commonly used before a noun, as in “intensifying pressure.” When it describes an ongoing change, it generally means that the change is continuing to become stronger. It is neutral in register and is used in both formal and informal contexts.