intensely

[in-tens-lee]

adverb

1. to a high or extreme degree.

   Many ingredients are rolled into this intensely flavorful and very versatile curry paste.

2. (said in reference to emotions or feelings) acutely, strongly, or vehemently.

   We should all be intensely angry about what is happening, and should do something besides just sitting at our computers absorbing information.

   I disliked the book intensely.

3. earnestly or strenuously; in a highly engaged or involved way.

   The first time I watched the documentary, all I saw was these four people talking intensely about their music.

Other Word Forms

• hyperintensely adverb
• overintensely adverb
• superintensely adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of intensely¹

intense ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

If they were passionate about a topic, they could focus on it intensely.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It immediately stood out as both brilliant and intensely red.

Read more on Science Daily

A pair of brown horses come up side by side and stare intensely at an approaching visitor.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

However, heavy rain arrived earlier and more intensely than expected.

Read more on BBC

As lithium fires can react intensely with water, firefighters had to use dry sand to fight the fire, which took several hours to get under control.

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Related Words

• fiercely 
• profoundly 
• strongly 
• vehemently 
• very