as in hard
with great effort or determination
intently studied his notes just before the exam
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of intently
Yang listened intently to Borchers during his court appearance.
—
Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
The jury watched intently as witness Amy Marin described running to get her phone to call 911 about a vehicle crash, only for concern to turn to panic when the truck driver emerged with a gun.
—Matthew J. Friedman, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
People with autism may have difficulty transitioning from one activity to another, focus intently on small details or have unusual reactions to sensory stimulus.
—The Baltimore Sun, Boston Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
Social media videos of four-legged companions watching the movie adaptation of the beloved holiday classic have gone viral as pups of all shapes and sizes appear to be intently watching, especially when the Grinch, played by Jim Carrey, is on screen with Max, his dog and companion.
—James Powel, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intently
Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
The jury watched intently as witness Amy Marin described running to get her phone to call 911 about a vehicle crash, only for concern to turn to panic when the truck driver emerged with a gun.
—Matthew J. Friedman, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
People with autism may have difficulty transitioning from one activity to another, focus intently on small details or have unusual reactions to sensory stimulus.
—The Baltimore Sun, Boston Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
Social media videos of four-legged companions watching the movie adaptation of the beloved holiday classic have gone viral as pups of all shapes and sizes appear to be intently watching, especially when the Grinch, played by Jim Carrey, is on screen with Max, his dog and companion.
—James Powel, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intently
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intently
Adverb
-
The previously slumping Geekie scored two goals, including the game-winner late in the third period, a shot that was hammered so hard that no one saw the puck go in the net, until Geekie raced down and pointed to where the puck was lodged.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
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That history is why Van's post-UFC 324 trolling hits so hard.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
This selective approach came after years of working intensively to support her two sons as a single mother.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
7 Dec. 2025
-
So important are Rubicon units that the Ukrainian security services are now intensively searching out their forward bases.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
22 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Higher Revenues With Ads Investors are intensely focused on average revenue per membership.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Trump’s National Security Strategy focuses intensely on the Western Hemisphere, at the expense of Asia, and the administration ardently desires a trade deal and strategic coordination with Beijing.—
Robert Kagan,
The Atlantic,
18 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Detectives are working diligently to solve this case.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
With its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060, China is working diligently to move away from fossil fuels toward non-carbon-emitting energy sources.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The iPhone 17 series, for example, remains resolutely at full price.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
At their core, those melodies are resolutely straightforward, the better not to get in the way of the sentiments, and they’re effectively mirrored by Walker’s almost sing-songy guitar riffs.—
Brad Sanders,
Pitchfork,
17 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Miya’s landlord was able to remediate the restaurant’s building and Tewasart determinedly reopened in May, when at first there were few customers around to serve.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
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Since its debut, the initiative has been quietly but determinedly building physical bases in Lagos and Kenya, creating tangible spaces where female artists, producers, and engineers can access resources that Tems herself had to fight to find.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
4 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
This article is being continuously updated.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Jan. 2026
-
For more than 25 years, the orbital outpost has been occupied without interruption by a continuously rotating crew of intrepid explorers.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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Meeting drifters and friendly folk along the way, Alvin is doggedly determined to make amends while facing ailments of his own.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Jan. 2026
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There was something deeply moving about watching Cassils use the force of their own body and their intense mental focus to doggedly spell out one letter at a time, one word at a time, minute by minute, hour after hour.—
Gayatri Gopinath,
Artforum,
1 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Intently.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intently. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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