intensify difficulties

[ɪnˈtɛnsɪfaɪ ˈdɪfɪkəltiz]
verb phrase
intensificar dificuldades
1. to make problems, challenges, or obstacles more severe or acute; to increase the degree of hardship or complexity
The economic crisis will intensify difficulties for small businesses.
A crise econômica intensificará dificuldades para as pequenas empresas.
2. to exacerbate or worsen existing problems
Lack of communication can intensify difficulties in relationships.
A falta de comunicação pode intensificar dificuldades nos relacionamentos.
This phrase is commonly used in business, academic, and formal contexts in both Brazilian Portuguese and American English to describe escalating problems or worsening conditions. In Brazil, it appears frequently in news media and professional settings when discussing economic or social challenges.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
aggravate problemsexacerbate challengescompound difficultiesworsen obstaclesamplify hardships
Antonyms / Antônimos
alleviate difficultiesease challengesmitigate problemsreduce obstaclessimplify situations

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
intensificar dificuldades
Standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
piorar as dificuldades
More colloquial alternative
São Paulo
intensificar dificuldades
Formal business and academic usage
Portugal
intensificar as dificuldades
European Portuguese with definite article preference

Related Words

intensifydifficultiesaggravateexacerbatechallengesobstaclescomplications

Related Idioms & Phrases

add fuel to the fire
make matters worse
complicate the situation
compound the problem
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