Term: intense
intense (adjective): (of a person) having a very strong personality, characterized by deep emotions, extreme focus, and a serious or forceful way of behaving.
synonyms: driven, passionate, profound, fierce, earnest
pronunciation: /ɪnˈtɛns/
translation: intensīvs, spēcīgs, dedzīgs (raksturā)
example: Working with him can be exhausting because he is so intense; he never takes a break and expects total perfection from everyone.
other words from this root: intensity (noun), intensely (adverb), intensify (verb).
Nuance: Positive vs. Negative
Depending on the context, calling someone “intense” can be a compliment or a subtle warning:
- Positive: It suggests someone is deeply committed, passionate, and focused.
- Negative: It can imply that the person is overwhelming, “too much” to handle, or lacks a sense of humor.
Common Collocations
- An intense gaze: Looking at someone very directly and deeply.
- An intense worker: Someone who puts a massive amount of energy into their tasks.
- Intense loyalty: A very strong, unwavering commitment to someone.
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
intense (adjective)1.
a) 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
3.
a) exhibiting strong feeling or earnestness of purpose - an intense student
b) deeply felt
Merriam-Webster Online Thesaurus
intense (adjective)1.
extreme in degree, power, or effect
SYNONYMS:
acute, almighty, blistering, deep, dreadful, excruciating, explosive, exquisite, fearful, fearsome, ferocious, fierce, frightful, furious, ghastly, hard, heavy, heavy-duty, hellacious, intensive, keen, profound, terrible, vehement, vicious, violentRELATED WORDS:
accentuated, aggravated, concentrated, deepened; emphasized, enhanced, heightened, intensified, magnified; stressed; exhaustive, thorough; harsh, rigorous, severeNEAR ANTONYMS:
feeble, weak; shallow, superficial; moderated, qualified; alleviated, eased, lightened, toned (down); abated, decreased, diminished, lessened, reduced, subdued2.
having or expressing great depth of feeling
SYNONYMS:
ardent, blazing, burning, charged, demonstrative, emotional, fervid, feverish, fiery, flaming, glowing, hot-blooded, impassioned, incandescent, intense, passional, passionate, perfervid, red-hot, religious, superheated, torrid, vehement, warm, warm-bloodedRELATED WORDS:
gushing, gushy, maudlin, mawkish, mushy, saccharine, sappy, schmaltzy, sentimental, sloppy, sugary; histrionic, melodramatic; enthusiastic, gung ho, keen, zealous; enamored, infatuated, obsessed; uninhibited, unreserved, unrestrained; frenzied, orgiastic, overemotional, overexcited, overheatedNEAR ANTONYMS:
detached, dry, impersonal, objective; reserved, undemonstrative