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

Global markets will be watching the meeting intently for any signs of a thaw or continued standoff between the world’s two biggest economies. —Colin Meyn, The Hill, 9 May 2025

As potential jurors spoke, Combs — who is also sporting a gray beard — listened intently, wrote down notes and scanned the room, occasionally whispering to his attorney, Marc Agnifilo. —Liam Quinn, People.com, 7 May 2025

Attention: Listening intently and responding thoughtfully can de-escalate tensions and build psychological safety. —Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

Market players are listening intently to any guidance by CEO on the round of quarterly earnings now underway. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for intently

• gently