intensivieren
Translation
to intensify, to step up, to escalate
Examples
Die Polizei intensiviert die Suche.
The police are intensifying the search.
Die Zusammenarbeit wurde intensiviert.
The cooperation was intensified.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to intensify (sth.) The government is intensifying the security measures.
Similar Words
Synonyms: verstärken (to strengthen), steigern (to increase); Antonyms: abschwächen (to weaken), reduzieren (to reduce)
Etymology
Derived from the adjective 'intensiv' plus the verb-forming suffix '-ieren'. It literally means 'to make intensive'.
Memory Tips
The '-ieren' ending is very common in German for verbs of foreign origin, similar to '-ify' or '-ize' in English. Think of 'studieren' (to study) or 'organisieren' (to organize).