intently

adverb

in·​tent·​ly in-ˈtent-lē 

: in an intent or concentrated manner : with great effort, attention, or concentration

Their eyes, when they look at you and listen intently, focus like laser beams.

—Molly Haskell

He turned back to face her again and stared at her most intently.

—Robert C. O'Brien

Synonyms of intently

• hard
• intensively
• intensely
• diligently
• resolutely
• determinedly
• continuously
• doggedly
• arduously
• assiduously
• purposefully
• industriously

Examples of intently in a Sentence

intently studied his notes just before the exam

Recent Examples on the Web

Thoughts, memories and reactions can surface quickly, and listening intently will be easier said than done. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026

At the same time, Miles starts to notice a presence in his pictures, a woman in a raincoat (Kate Dickie) staring intently into the camera. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 6 July 2026

Once again, Walker Kessler sat hunched forward, ears and eyes intently locked onto the person whose words would change his life. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

The act of focusing intently on an object—a holy name, a mantra, the Eucharist—has the potential to transform a person’s desires. — Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for intently

• gently