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.

Aiken rose to fame as the earnest, vocally gifted runner-up on “American Idol” circa 2003.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Byrne has always had a knack for marrying camp with earnest determination, as though she’s keenly aware of how often the two intersect in everyday life.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2026

"I do believe that he's a very earnest, sound person," Martin said when Trump criticized Starmer for failing to help on Iran.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

Next to the happy-go-lucky Harry, William always came off as the earnest, somewhat colder older brother who seemed to march solemnly toward the inevitable fate of being burdened by the crown.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

Part of the great transformation that we know as the Scientific Revolution, a transformation which began in earnest the year after Montaigne retired to his library, consisted in improving our senses.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton