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

• amain
• arduously
• assiduously
• determinedly
• diligently
• doggedly
• hard
• hardly
• industriously
• intensely
• intensively
• laboriously
• mightily
• purposefully
• resolutely
• sedulously
• slavishly
• strenuously

Examples of intently in a Sentence

intently studied his notes just before the exam

Recent Examples on the Web

Earlier this month, General Motors CEO Mary Barra said Trump listens intently to the automotive industry, according to the Detroit Free Press. —Ray Lewis, Baltimore Sun, 24 Dec. 2024

The Blue Jays and Dodgers are considered longer shots, though the Jays were willing to match the Dodgers’ bid for Ohtani last offseason, and seem to be just as intently focused on Soto. —Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 4 Dec. 2024

In one video, the girls watched intently as a quartet of people riding horses and holding the American flag made their way down the street. —Hannah Sacks, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024

Dawkins has become the star of the offensive line show for those who watch them intently enough. —Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above