Intentive

Closely attentive or directed toward a purpose.

Reach for it when using a rare term for concentrated, purposeful attention

The intentive listener noticed where the witness became uncertain.

• everyday

  attentive

  careful notice of another person or task is the main quality

  not when Attentive is familiar and may lack the purposeful concentration of intentive.

• warm

  absorbed

  interest holds attention so fully that surroundings recede

  not when Absorbed may mean unavailable to other people and not purposefully observant.

• professional

  focused

  attention remains on the relevant goal

  not when Focused can exclude peripheral signals that an attentive person should notice.

• formal

  intent

  concentration is visibly fixed on one object

  not when Intent sounds severe when the attention is considerate listening.

• literary

  heedful

  careful attention includes respect for warnings or advice

  not when Heedful is old-fashioned and narrower than general intentive concentration.

• inattentive
• distracted
• heedless

• intentive gaze

  Her intentive gaze stayed on the fine crack as the load increased.

• intentive listener

  An intentive listener leaves room for a speaker to correct the question.

• intentive study

  Intentive study revealed a repeated mark beneath the later paint.