Concentrating: meaning, definitions and examples

Commonly used when talking about focusing mental or physical effort on a specific task or activity.

• She is concentrating hard on her homework
• We need to start concentrating on the main problem

Used when something increases in degree, force, or severity, often in a dramatic way. It can have both neutral and negative connotations depending on the context.

• The storm will intensify overnight
• Their rivalry began to intensify after the competition

Used when talking about making something stronger or more resilient, whether it’s a physical object, a concept, or a relationship.

• Regular exercise can strengthen your muscles
• This initiative aims to strengthen community bonds

Often used when discussing the removal of contaminants or impurities from substances, such as water or air. It carries a positive connotation.

• We need to purify the water before drinking it
• The process will help purify the air in the room

Best used when describing the act of directing all your attention or mental effort towards one particular thing.

• She was concentrating on her math homework and didn't hear him enter the room.
• He found it hard to concentrate with all the noise.

Similar to 'concentrate,' but can also imply a broader, more general sense of paying close attention or aiming effort towards a goal.

• She needed to focus on her career after graduation.
• The camera will automatically focus when you take a picture.

Refers to the action of bringing people or things together, physically or metaphorically. It can also apply to collecting information.

• They decided to gather for a family reunion.
• We need to gather all the facts before making a decision.

Used when discussing the action of bringing things under a single point of control, often in organizational or governmental contexts.

• The government decided to centralize healthcare services to improve efficiency.
• We need to centralize our data storage for better security.