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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.

Energy executives and Wall Street investors believe American companies won’t dial up output in earnest in the coming months.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

The accusations are serious and the delivery is earnest yet somehow silly.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has invested considerable diplomatic capital in getting the two parties together, posted on social media that Pakistan would "continue its earnest efforts for negotiated settlement of the conflict".

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

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 idea of being afraid of you! Well, you see we used to play Pilgrim’s Progress, and we have been going on with it in earnest, all winter and summer.”

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

Vocabulary lists containing earnest

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

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List 1

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"Macbeth" Vocabulary from Act I

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