What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
extreme
Example
The weather conditions were extreme, with heavy rain and strong winds. [extreme: adjective]
Example
The athlete pushed himself to the extreme, running faster and longer than ever before. [extreme: noun]
intense
Example
She felt intense anger towards her boss for treating her unfairly. [intense: adjective]
Example
The students had an intense discussion about the topic, sharing their opinions and ideas. [intense: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Intense is more commonly used than extreme in everyday language. Intense is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while extreme is less common and refers to situations or conditions that are beyond the usual or expected limits.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between extreme and intense?
Both extreme and intense can be used in formal and informal contexts, but intense is more commonly used in everyday language and is therefore considered less formal than extreme.
