intensity

noun

in·​ten·​si·​ty in-ˈten(t)-sə-tē How to pronounce intensity (audio)
plural intensities
Synonyms of intensity
1
: the quality or state of being intense
especially : extreme degree of strength, force, energy, or feeling
2
: the magnitude of a quantity (such as force or energy) per unit (as of area, charge, mass, or time)
3
: saturation sense 4a

Synonyms of intensity

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of intensity in a Sentence

the intensity of the sun's rays the intensity of the argument The sun shone with great intensity.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Forecast confidence is high for intensity and track over the next three days. — Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 Williams, who studies long-term drought and fire trends, said that in generations past, high-intensity forest fires did occur but were rare. — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 3 July 2026 The degrees of difficulty and intensity vary, so folks can choose their own adventure. — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 4 July 2026 Walking For years we've been told that high-intensity aerobic activity is the key to a long and healthy life. — Amanda Gardner, Martha Stewart, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for intensity

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of intensity was in 1665

Phrases Containing intensity

Rhymes for intensity

See All Rhymes for intensity

Browse Nearby Words

intensitometer
intensity
intensity modulation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Intensity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intensity. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

intensity

noun
in·​ten·​si·​ty in-ˈten(t)-sət-ē How to pronounce intensity (audio)
plural intensities
1
: the quality or state of being intense
especially : extreme strength, force, or feeling
2
: the degree or amount of a quality or condition
the intensity of an electric field

Medical Definition

intensity

noun
in·​ten·​si·​ty in-ˈten(t)-sət-ē How to pronounce intensity (audio)
plural intensities
1
: the quality or state of being intense
especially : extreme degree of strength, force, energy, or feeling
2
: the magnitude of a quantity (as force or energy) per unit (as of surface, charge, mass, or time)
3
: saturation sense 4a

More from Merriam-Webster on intensity

Nglish: Translation of intensity for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about intensity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All