Describing Intensity: English Vocabulary List

having a strong or far-reaching effect

"We need drastic action."

"The company took drastic measures to cut costs including reducing salaries and eliminating bonuses for all employees regardless of seniority."

emphasizing the extreme or total nature of a situation

"That is utter nonsense."

"The speaker's statement was utter nonsense and the audience booed him off the stage because they could not believe what he was saying."

not reduced or moderated in intensity

"It was an unmitigated disaster."

"The project was an unmitigated disaster from start to finish and nobody wanted to take responsibility for the millions of dollars lost."

to strengthen markedly

"We must redouble our efforts now."

"The team decided to redouble their efforts after losing the first match of the championship tournament badly."

to cause a person to adopt extreme beliefs, ideologies, or actions

"They radicalize the youth."

"The online forums helped to radicalize the young man who later committed a terrible act of violence."

to help reduce the severity of an unpleasant feeling

"He assuaged her fears with kind words."

"She tried to assuage her guilty feelings by donating money to the charity that helps homeless animals find new homes."

the act or process of reducing the severity, impact, or harmfulness of something

"Risk mitigation is very important."

"Mitigation efforts helped reduce the impact of the flood by building higher levees along the river."

to reduce the intensity or force of something

"They tamp down the noise."

"The mayor tried to tamp down public fears by holding a press conference to explain the safety measures clearly."