intense hunger

USAGE SUMMARY

"intense hunger" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a strong or severe feeling of hunger. Example: After going on a long hike, I felt intense hunger and couldn't wait to devour the sandwiches I had packed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

There remains an intense hunger for new American voices in the theater.

The New York Times

But they were ravenous and almost every one of them eventually succumbed to intense hunger and regained the weight that was so painfully lost.

The New York Times - Health

Mr. Friedkin's survival, and his stubbornness, are probably the result of a childhood and early career that were marked by an intense hunger to succeed that has never diminished.

The New York Times

Each had an intense hunger to win, and guts beyond belief.

Forbes

Dul was having trouble understanding because of intense hunger, but Ake said he told him to remain patient.

HuffPost

Dul was having trouble understanding because of intense hunger, but Ake said he told him to remain patient. .

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Costello spots a pretty camerawoman at a party, happily notes that she's had too much vodka, and approaches her with "intense sexual hunger".

The New Yorker

For parents and grandparents who are still children at heart, here's a sampling: Miller's Toys & Bicycles MAMARONECK Walking into Miller's could make even a tired mother of teenagers experience intense baby hunger.

The New York Times

They were able to exploit the intense land hunger of the peasants, gain concessions from the landlords in return for limiting the impact of the reform, and make substantial profits from their mediation in land sales.

Wikipedia

Respiratory sensations, particularly intense air hunger or suffocation, can provoke powerful emotional responses that motivate adaptive behaviour, such as seeking medical attention, or maladaptive behaviour, such as avoidance of activity, which can result in physiological deconditioning and reduced quality of life.

European Respiratory Journal

The will to win was at least as intense as the hunger of City, for whom trophies are unfamiliar.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's internal state, using "intense hunger" can effectively convey urgency or desperation. Example: After being stranded, the traveler experienced "intense hunger".

Common error

Avoid using "appetite" when you mean "hunger". "Appetite" refers to the desire to eat, while "hunger" is the physiological need for food. "Intense appetite" suggests a strong desire, not necessarily a physical need.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intense hunger" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "intense" is an adjective modifying the noun "hunger". According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its role in describing a strong or severe feeling of hunger.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intense hunger" effectively communicates a strong and pressing need for food. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. While not the most frequent expression, it appears commonly in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting its versatility across different registers. Related phrases like "ravenous appetite" and "acute starvation" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts, each with slight variations in meaning. When using "intense hunger", it's important to differentiate it from "appetite", focusing on the physical need rather than just the desire to eat. Overall, "intense hunger" is a reliable phrase for describing a significant physiological state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ravenous appetite

Implies an insatiable hunger that's difficult to satisfy.

voracious hunger

Implies greediness in the desire for food, suggesting a very strong appetite.

consuming hunger

Suggests that hunger is the dominant feeling or need.

acute starvation

Emphasizes the severity and life-threatening aspect of hunger.

uncontrollable appetite

Highlights the lack of ability to control one's eating urges.

sharp pangs of hunger

Descriptive alternative, highlighting the sudden and acute nature of hunger.

extreme appetite

Highlights a strong desire for food, differing slightly in intensity from simple hunger.

unrelenting craving

Focuses more on the persistence and difficulty in ignoring the desire for food.

powerful craving

Focuses on the specific desire for food, rather than general hunger.

extreme food deprivation

Shifts the focus from the feeling to the lack of sustenance.

FAQs

How can I use "intense hunger" in a sentence?

You can use "intense hunger" to describe a strong need for food, such as "After the marathon, I felt an "intense hunger" and ate everything in sight".

What's the difference between "intense hunger" and "ravenous appetite"?

"Intense hunger" describes a powerful physical need for food. "Ravenous appetite" implies an insatiable desire to eat, not necessarily driven by physical need.

What can I say instead of "intense hunger"?

Alternatives include "acute starvation", "ravenous appetite", or "consuming hunger", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "intense appetite"?

While grammatically correct, "intense appetite" is less common than "intense hunger". "Appetite" refers to the desire for food, so using "intense" with it emphasizes a strong desire, not necessarily a physical need. "Intense hunger" is a more direct way to describe a strong need for food.