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

Davis appeared in court each day of jury selection, seeming quiet and focused, following along intently as each potential juror answered questions from Judge Carli Kierny and each side’s attorneys. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Bazzi was holding it up with two fingers, studying the body intently. — Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026

Kenzo had inclined his head over his invalid daughter and was staring at her intently. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Rather than using their music to chronicle grand, cinematic experiences, the duo intently gravitates toward the quiet moments that exist in between life’s victories and failures. — Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for intently

• gently