as in solemn
not joking or playful in mood or manner
I'll accept only an earnest apology from you
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in intentness
a mental state free of jesting or trifling
I am in deadly earnest about this marriage proposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of earnest
Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
Raised in Beverly Hills, Chamberlain was a rather inexperienced actor when he was hired to play James Kildare, an earnest intern with terrific bedside manner — and the mentee of Dr. Leonard Gillespie (Raymond Massey) — on Dr. Kildare.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2025
Ahmed Nagi, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2023
The agreement was made during the NFL’s open negotiation window, but a contract can’t be officially signed until the start of the new league year when free agency starts in earnest on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Moehrig, 25, brings size and physicality to the Panthers’ safety room.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for earnest
Adjective
Jones’ earnest musings are now poised to find an unexpected spotlight and far broader audience.
—Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
Raised in Beverly Hills, Chamberlain was a rather inexperienced actor when he was hired to play James Kildare, an earnest intern with terrific bedside manner — and the mentee of Dr. Leonard Gillespie (Raymond Massey) — on Dr. Kildare.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2025
Noun
The parties can put forward their demands for discussion once a cease-fire is in place and talks start in earnest.
—Ahmed Nagi, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2023
The agreement was made during the NFL’s open negotiation window, but a contract can’t be officially signed until the start of the new league year when free agency starts in earnest on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Moehrig, 25, brings size and physicality to the Panthers’ safety room.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for earnest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for earnest
Adjective
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In a solemn message, Dominican President Luis Abinader addressed the nation’s grief.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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In Ireland, however, St. Patrick’s Day remained a solemn day of observance with little revelry.—
Bryan McGovern,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The most serious charge carries up to 10 years in prison, while the others have a five-year maximum term.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
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No one is more than a degree or two of separation from someone with a serious health condition.—
Primary care physicians,
Hartford Courant,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Ars Technica: One of the most visually arresting images from James Cameron's blockbuster film Titanic was the ship's stern sticking straight up out of the water after breaking apart from the bow.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
10 Apr. 2025
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Leeds also drive some of the sternest vitriol along opponents’ terraces.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Huston kept the type of cancer private, while emphasizing the gravity of learning about the diagnoses.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2025
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Miami is loaded with international stars and commands the most gravity in the league right now, but LAFC offers heavyweights of its own.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Earnest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earnest. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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