be in earnest

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.

In Washington, Reagan Administration officials stressed that the Soviet leader's reform efforts seem to be in earnest, and avoided dashing hopes for better U.S.-Soviet ties.

From Time Magazine Archive

Those imams who still counsel against jihadist terrorism, says Kepel, may be in earnest.

From Time Magazine Archive

Polls closed,–in joke, we thought, as Judge Hoar proposed it; proved to be in earnest, and we elected a good school committee.

From Louisa May Alcott : Her Life, Letters, and Journals by Alcott, Louisa May

“Well, I must say,” cried her sister, “he seems to be in earnest, at any rate, even if you are not.”

From The Brute by Kummer, Frederic Arnold

"Well, I know you are not given to joking, and this would certainly be an inconceivably bad joke; but it is almost more inconceivable that you should be in earnest."

From That Unfortunate Marriage, Vol. 3 by Trollope, Frances Eleanor