intensifies

An intensify means to make something stronger or more powerful.

When we talk about an issue that's already causing problems, and it gets worse, we say it's intensified. For example, if there's a big storm coming, but it suddenly starts raining harder and the wind is getting stronger, then the weather has intensified. We might also intensify something on purpose, like by using more medicine to make its effect stronger, or by practicing a skill until you get better at it. Sometimes we use intensify in more abstract ways, too - for instance, if people are having stronger feelings about an issue, we say their emotions have intensified.