Intense-Intensive | Commonly Confused Words
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Intense vs. Intensive

Intense

/ɪnˈtens/
Very strong or extreme in degree

Examples:

To his intense dismay and dissatisfaction she exclaimed:The grief and the rage of the public would be intense.'Guess again,' said Caroline, with intense complacency.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Intensive

/ɪnˈtensɪv/
Involving a lot of effort or work over a short period of time

Examples:

The next day, the really intensive training began.The course was intensive but incredibly rewarding.She took an intensive care nursing program last year.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Intense often refers to the magnitude or degree of something, but not always in terms of energy or effort.
  • Intensive implies a concentrated or thorough approach, often involving a lot of work or focus over a short period.
  • Remember that intensity in activities usually involves both energy and feeling, while intensiveness refers to intense effort in a focused period.
  • Intense moments are about feeling or experience, not necessarily requiring action, while intensive actions are purposeful and effort-driven.
  • Consider that Shakespeares emotions in his plays can be described as intense, while a short, rigorous training camp is intensive.'
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