Intensity: English Vocabulary List

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 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."

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."

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."

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."

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 diminish in intensity, visibility, or prominence

"The flood waters finally receded."

"The floodwaters finally began to recede after three days of heavy rain stopped and the sun came out again."

to make a situation worse or more intense by adding to it

"The mistake compounded the existing problem."

"His failure to apologize only served to compound the problem and make his girlfriend even more angry at him."

to make a person or thing seem more important or impressive than they actually are

"He aggrandized his own importance constantly."

"The politician used his position to aggrandize himself instead of actually helping the people who elected him."

to elevate or intensify the quality, value, or significance of something

"They exalt the king."

"The ceremony served to exalt the hero's bravery and sacrifice for the nation."

to gradually decrease in strength, value, or intensity

"The medication attenuated the pain significantly."

"The thick walls of the recording studio helped to attenuate the loud noise coming from the busy street outside."

to suppress, restrain, or hinder the growth, development, or intensity of something

"Don't stifle creativity."

"The oppressive regime attempted to stifle any dissent by controlling all forms of media and public expression."

to alleviate or mitigate the intensity or severity of something

"The drug palliates symptoms but does not cure."

"The doctor prescribed strong painkillers to palliate the patient's symptoms but he could not cure the disease completely."

to gradually decrease in intensity, strength, importance, size, influence, etc.

"The moon's light began to wane."

"The moon began to wane after reaching its full brightness and gradually became smaller and smaller each night."

to increase the size, amount, intensity, speed, etc. of something

"We must step up production."

"The team needs to step up their efforts if they hope to meet the ambitious project deadline."

extremely intense and forceful, often leaving a lasting impression or impact

"The pain was searing."

"The searing pain in his chest made him think he was having a heart attack so he called an ambulance immediately."