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

Protestors are listening intently in between cheers. —Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 12 Dec. 2025

Trump is now focussing more intently on Canada, and negotiators are contending with tariffs on everything from steel to lumber, ostensibly in the interest of national security. —Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2025

Previously, Mangione has intently watched bodycam footage of his arrest. —Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025

Wearing a navy blazer and a gingham pink shirt, the 27-year-old Mangione appeared to be listening intently to the testimony Tuesday, frequently taking notes and chatting with his attorneys. —Molly Crane Newman, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for intently

• gently