intent

²intent

adj

Definition of INTENT

1

: directed with strained or eager attention : concentrated

2

: having the mind, attention, or will concentrated on something or some end or purpose <intent on their work>

— in·tent·ly adverb

— in·tent·ness noun

Examples of INTENT

1. <intent on finishing her sculpture in time for the group show>
2. <he was so intent on his work that he didn't hear the dog bark>

Origin of INTENT

Latin intentus, from past participle of intendere

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to INTENT

Synonyms: bent (on or upon), bound, decisive, do-or-die, firm, hell-bent (on or upon), determined, out, purposeful, resolute, resolved, set, single-minded

Antonyms: faltering, hesitant, indecisive, irresolute, undetermined, unresolved, vacillating, wavering, weak-kneed

Related Words: bitter, vehement; certain, cocksure, confident, positive, sure; earnest, serious; steady, unfaltering, unhesitating, unswerving, unwavering; adamant, adamantine, dogged, hard, hardened, hardheaded, headstrong, immovable, implacable, inflexible, mulish, obdurate, persistent, pertinacious, perverse, pigheaded, rigid, self-willed, stubborn, tenacious, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, willful (or wilful)

Near Antonyms: distrustful, doubtful, dubious, mistrustful, skeptical, suspicious, uncertain, unconvinced, undecided, unsettled, unsure; disinclined, indisposed, loath (also loth or loathe), reluctant

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