intensify

intensify — verb

1. to become stronger, more extreme, or more noticeable; a person or thing can also

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to become stronger, more extreme, or more noticeable; a person or thing can also intensify something, raising its level of force or strength

例句

The sound of the drums intensified as the parade came closer to the square.

intransitive: sound/temperature/storm + intensifies on its own

Soraya's headache intensified after she spent three hours reading in dim light.

同義詞
  • heighten

    more common with emotions, awareness, or sensory experiences; has a slightly more literary tone

  • deepen

    limited to emotions, colours, or relationships; suggests increased depth rather than raw force

  • escalate

    carries a negative tone — typically used for conflict, violence, or crisis getting worse

反義詞
  • lessen

    to make or become smaller in degree; opposite direction but same grammatical behaviour

  • weaken

    to make or become less strong; more physical than 'lessen'

  • ease

    to become less severe or unpleasant; often used for pain or tension

文法句型

intensify + noun phrase

noun phrase + intensify (no object)

用法筆記

Functions both transitively and intransitively. Intransitive subjects are typically natural phenomena (storm, wind), physical sensations (pain, headache), or abstract situations (conflict, debate) that grow stronger on their own. Transitive uses require an agent deliberately applying force, pressure, or effort to raise the degree of something.

常見錯誤

❌The pain intensified up overnight.
✅The pain intensified overnight.
💡'intensify' already contains the idea of increase; adding 'up' is redundant and ungrammatical.
❌The teacher intensified the students to focus.
✅The teacher intensified the pressure on the students to focus.
💡'intensify' cannot take a person as its direct object; use a noun that can actually grow in degree (pressure, effort, focus).