•The Pulse-LD-intermittent-pumped acousto-optically Q-switched Tm:YAG laser is proposed.•The technology relies on precise time control among pulse laser diodes and Q-switch.•The technology relieves the thermal effect of Tm:YAG crystal.•Output pulse energy increases while ensuring the operation repetition of Tm:YAG laser. An innovative pulse-diode-intermittent-pumped 2-µm acousto-optically Q-switched Tm:YAG laser is presented for the first time, which can improve the output energy, while ensuring the operation repetition of laser. Maximum output energy of 6.83 mJ and minimum pulse width of 367.7 ns at Q-switched repetition rate of 200 Hz is obtained at pump energy of 86.2 mJ. The output wavelength is 2014.9 nm. The beam quality factor Mx2 is 1.48 and My2 is 1.59. The stability is larger than 98%.