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Definitions

earnest

[ur-nist] / ˈɜr nɪst /
ADJECTIVE
very enthusiastic
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ardent diligent fervent heartfelt impassioned passionate purposeful sincere urgent
STRONG
eager keen
WEAK
busy devoted fervid industrious perseverant sedulous vehement warm wholehearted zealous
Antonyms
STRONGEST
apathetic cold cool dispassionate frigid indifferent insincere unenthusiastic unexcited
WEAK
flippant thoughtless trivial unconcerned unimportant unpassionate unpurposeful unserious unthoughtful
ADJECTIVE
serious; very important
Synonyms
STRONGEST
sincere sober solemn somber thoughtful
STRONG
close constant firm grave intent stable steady
WEAK
determined fixed for real mean business meaningful no-fooling no-nonsense playing hard ball resolute resolved sedate staid weighty
Antonyms
STRONG
changeable inconstant irresolute loose unfixed unstable unsteady untrustworthy wavering weak wobbly
WEAK
flippant insincere thoughtless trivial unconcerned unenthusiastic unimportant unpassionate unpurposeful unserious unthoughtful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Rattlesnake activity began in earnest in March, a month ahead of the start of the peak season, which is typically from April to October.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

The prime minister has repeatedly promised everything is being pored over, with countless earnest statements about how no stone will be unturned.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Traditionally, governors are given a 100-day grace period before their performance is judged in earnest.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

A bright spot for the war-weary investors is corporate earnings, which kick off in earnest next week with reports from major banks including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

“Professor, are you in earnest; or it is some monstrous joke? Pardon me, I see that you are in earnest.”

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

Vocabulary lists containing earnest

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"Macbeth" Vocabulary from Act I

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