intensifyingly
|in-ten-si-fy-ing-ly|
🇺🇸
/ɪnˈtɛnsɪfaɪ/
🇬🇧
/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪ/
(intensify)
increase in intensity
Etymology
'intensifyingly' ultimately derives from the verb 'intensify.' 'Intensify' is built from the adjective 'intense' plus the verbal suffix '-ify.' 'Intense' comes from Latin 'intensus,' and the suffix '-ify' comes from Latin 'facere' via Old French '-ifier', where 'facere' meant 'to make.'
'intensify' entered English via Middle French (or Late Latin formations) from Latin 'intensus' (past participle related to 'intendere' / 'tendere') and the causative/formative suffix that became '-ify'; later English formations added adverbial '-ly' to create adverbs such as 'intensifyingly.'
Initially linked to the Latin root meaning related to 'stretching/straining' (from 'tendere'), the sense evolved to 'making or becoming strong/forceful'; in modern English it means 'to make or become more intense,' and the adverbial form means 'in an intensifying manner.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the noun form 'intensification': the process of becoming more intense.
The intensification of the storm surprised meteorologists.
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Verb 1
to become or make greater in strength, degree, or force (base form: 'intensify').
They decided to intensify efforts to reduce emissions.
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Adjective 1
becoming more intense; used of something that is increasing in intensity (present-participle adjective: 'intensifying').
The intensifying pressure on the team affected decision making.
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Adverb 1
in a manner that becomes increasingly intense; progressively more strongly.
The debate proceeded intensifyingly as each side introduced new evidence.
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Last updated: 2025/10/25 15:59