Intensity: English Vocabulary List

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 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 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."

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."

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."

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."