Intensifiers and Mitigators: English Vocabulary List

to a very great amount or degree

"The weather is extremely cold today."

"The weather is extremely cold today so make sure to wear a warm coat and gloves before going outside."

by a significant amount or to a significant extent

"The new car is considerably faster."

"The new car is considerably faster than the old one and it also uses less fuel on the highway."

to the highest or utmost degree

"She is supremely confident in her abilities."

"She is supremely confident in her abilities and never doubts herself even when facing a difficult challenge."

over a large area or covering a wide range of subjects, places, or people

"The doctor examined the patient extensively."

"The doctor examined the patient extensively and ordered several tests to determine the cause of his symptoms."

to a considerable extent or degree

"The cost has increased substantially this year."

"The cost has increased substantially this year due to inflation and higher demand for raw materials."

in a way that increases more and more rapidly over time

"The population grew exponentially over the decade."

"The population grew exponentially over the decade and the city had to build many new schools and hospitals to keep up."

to a large amount, intensity, or degree

"The view improved tremendously."

"The view improved tremendously after we climbed to the top of the hill and could see the entire valley below us."

to a great or vast degree

"The team benefited enormously from her help."

"The team benefited enormously from her experience and she taught them many valuable skills and techniques."

in a manner that is of very high significance or scale

"The project was monumentally difficult."

"The project was monumentally difficult and took five years to complete but the final result was worth all the effort."

to an exceptional or remarkable degree

"The task was exceedingly difficult to complete."

"The task was exceedingly difficult to complete and only a few people managed to finish it on time."

to an excessive degree

"Do not be overly worried about small things."

"Do not be overly worried about small things because stress is bad for your health and happiness in the long run."

seriously enough to cause concern or worry

"He was gravely injured in the crash."

"He was gravely injured in the crash and the doctors said that he was lucky to have survived at all."

To an unusually high degree, in a way that is far above average or standard

"The food was exceptionally delicious tonight."

"The food was exceptionally delicious tonight and the service was also very fast and friendly at the restaurant."

to a significantly large extent or by a considerable amount

"His health improved dramatically after the treatment."

"His health improved dramatically after the treatment and he was able to return to work within a few weeks."

complete or total, without limitation or moderation

"That is downright silly."

"His behavior was downright rude and unacceptable for a formal dinner party."

to a greater extent than is reasonable or acceptable

"Do not be unduly worried about the test."

"Do not be unduly worried about the test because you have studied hard and you are well prepared for it."

to a certain degree or extent in comparison to something else

"The house is comparatively small."

"The house is comparatively small but it is very cozy and comfortable for a family of four."

to a specific degree, particularly when compared to other similar things

"The house is relatively cheap."

"The house is relatively cheap compared to others in the same neighborhood because it needs some repairs and renovations."

used to say that something such as a number or amount is not exact

"The trip takes approximately two hours."

"The trip takes approximately two hours depending on traffic conditions and the route you choose to take."

to a degree that is enough or satisfactory for a particular purpose

"The room was adequately heated."

"The room was adequately heated so we did not feel cold even though the temperature outside was below freezing."

used to indicate that something is true or applicable only to some extent or degree

"His success was in part due to luck."

"His success was in part due to luck but mostly it came from his hard work and dedication."

to a moderate degree or extent

"He was somewhat nervous."

"He was somewhat nervous before the exam but he managed to calm himself down and do well."

in a small amount, extent, or level

"I am slightly taller than my brother."

"I am slightly taller than my brother but he is much stronger and faster than me at running."

in a manner that almost does not exist or occur

"I could barely hear the speaker."

"I could barely hear the speaker because the microphone was not working properly and the room was very noisy."

to a very small degree or extent

"I can hardly hear you."

"I can hardly hear you because of the noise from the construction site next door."

nothing more than what is to be said

"It was merely a joke."

"It was merely a joke and I did not mean to offend anyone so please do not take it seriously."

covering a large area

"The damage was extensive."

"The extensive damage from the storm required months of repair work on the old bridge completely."

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 intensity or pureness of a particular quality or emotion

"It is sheer luck."

"The sheer size of the mountain was overwhelming and we realized that climbing to the top would take much longer than we had planned."

showing the intensity or greatness of something

"The silence is profound."

"The profound sadness she felt after losing her grandmother stayed with her for many months."

to a degree that is higher than usual

"I particularly enjoy Italian food."

"I particularly enjoy Italian food especially pasta dishes like spaghetti and lasagna with rich tomato sauce."

in a way that carries particular importance or meaning, often in relation to the context

"The temperature dropped significantly overnight."

"The temperature dropped significantly overnight and we had to turn on the heater to keep warm."

to an extreme or total degree, especially used in medical contexts

"He was profoundly ill."

"I am profoundly grateful for your kindness and generosity during this difficult time in my life."

to a notable or extraordinary degree

"She is remarkably talented for her age."

"She is remarkably talented for her age and can play three different musical instruments very well indeed."

to the highest degree

"The movie was quite good."

"The movie was quite good actually much better than I expected from the reviews I had read online."

without being exact

"Roughly half of the students passed."

"Roughly half of the students passed the exam while the other half failed and will have to retake it."

to a very small degree or extent

"I can hardly wait."

"After the long hike, he could hardly move his tired legs and felt completely exhausted."

in the slightest degree, usually used with negatives

"I can't remotely see."

"He claims to have seen a ghost, but I don't remotely believe his story."

rarely occurring or happening

"That is a seldom event."

"The seldom seen snow leopard is one of the rarest animals in the world and very few people have ever photographed one in its natural habitat."

covering a wide range, indicating thoroughness or comprehensiveness

"This is extensive work."

"The research involved an extensive review of historical documents to understand the societal impact of the industrial revolution."

extremely large or vast in physical size

"The building is immense."

"The immense building towered over the city and it contained more than five thousand offices and a shopping mall on the ground floor."