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.

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

From Time Magazine Archive

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

And this was followed by the well-remembered injunction: 'Brother Boyden, I have only one word to say in reference to your labors, and that is, be in earnest.

From Biography of Rev. Hosea Ballou by Ballou, Maturin Murray

I fancy that for you, if the English Government be in earnest, there will be no absolutely safe place short of the free city of Frankfort.

From The Story of Francis Cludde by Weyman, Stanley John

"If for one moment you could be in earnest," she ventured, with a smile.

From Cardigan by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)