6 syllables: in, ten, si, fi, ca, tion. Stress on ca.
in-ten-suh-fuh-KAY-shuhn
/ɪˌntɛnsəfəˈkeɪʃən/
intensification is pronounced in-ten-suh-fuh-KAY-shuhn (/ɪˌntɛnsəfəˈkeɪʃən/). It has six syllables (in-ten-si-fi-ca-tion), with the stress on "ca". Intensification is the process or result of making something more intense, extreme, or pronounced. It often refers to increasing strength, emphasis, or magnitude in degree or effect, especially in linguistic, social, or scientific contexts. The term is commonly used in academic writing, psychology, and communication to describe how features or reactions become stronger over time.
Intensification is the process or result of making something more intense, extreme, or pronounced. It often refers to increasing strength, emphasis, or magnitude in degree or effect, especially in linguistic, social, or scientific contexts. The term is commonly used in academic writing, psychology, and communication to describe how features or reactions become stronger over time.
"The intensification of the debate led to clearer policy proposals."
"Linguists study intensification to understand how emphasis alters meaning and perception."
"Her smile showed intensification of happiness as the ceremony reached its crescendo."
Pronounce as inˌtɛn.sɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən with primary stress on the fourth syllable -
Mistakes include misplaced primary stress (often stressing -fi- or -ka-), mispronouncing the iː vs ɪ vowel in the second syllable, and dropping the -tion ending. Correct by placing stress on the -fi- or -keɪ-? Actually standard: in-ten-SI-fuh-KAY-shun? Wait; ensure: /ɪnˌtɛn.sɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ with primary stress on 4th syllable? The correct pattern is in-ten-si-fi-CA-tion; primary stress on -ca-? No, the common is in-ten-si-fi-CA-tion where -CA- is the primary stress. Provide guidance accordingly.
US/UK/AU share /ɪnˌtɛn.sɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ with primary stress on the -keɪ- syllable; rhoticity mainly affects /r/ presence in connected speech in US. UK often keeps non-rhotic, with clearer /t/ and /d/ in flapped positions. Australian tends toward non-rhotic but with vowel mergers slightly different; the /ɪ/ vowels and /æ/ quality may shift slightly in broad vs cultivated accents.
Long multi-syllable word with several weak-stressed vowels; ensure handling of /ɪ/ vs /ɪə/ or /eɪ/ in the -keɪ. The sequence /ˌɛn.sɪ./ can be tricky due to quick, adjacent syllables and the final -ʃən/ʃən. Practice by isolating the stressed -keɪ- and linking the surrounding schwas, avoiding excessive enunciation of -tion.
The tricky part is the -fi- before the primary stress; many learners slide into -fi- as /fiɹ/ or /fɪf/. You can emphasize the /fɪ/ then quickly shift to /keɪ/ in the stressed syllable, ensuring the /ˈkeɪ/ carries clear vowel quality and the following /ʃən/ reduces to a shorter, softer ending.
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US: emphasize rhoticity and crisp /t/; UK: non-rhotic, more rounded vowels in stressed syllable; AU: similar to UK with slightly broader vowels and less r-coloring. Key vowel shifts: /ɪ/ vs /e/ in unstressed syllables; /eɪ/ in -kei-; /ʃən/ ending is compact. IPA: /ɪnˌtɛn.sɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ (US/UK/AU). Practice by listening to native speakers and matching rhythm; maintain a four-syllable cadence while giving a strong -keɪ- stress.
Intensification derives from the verb intensify, which comes from Latin intensificare, formed from intensus (infused with great force, stretched) and facere (to do, to make). The suffix -cation, borrowed through French intensification from Latin -fication, signals a process or action. The root intensus, related to tense or stretched after Latin intensus, shifted in early modern English to describe increasing strength or degree. The term began appearing in scientific and scholarly discourse in the 19th century, then expanded into general use in the 20th century to cover linguistic, social, and economic contexts. The word encapsulates a trajectory: a less intense state is transitioned into a more intense one by augmenting force, degree, or emphasis. First known uses align with academic writings on qualitative change and intensification of processes, and over time it absorbed nuanced meanings in sociology, linguistics, and environmental science.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "intensification" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "intensification"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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