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
The certainty that the Curia would be in earnest about it gave them somewhat more energy than they had shown in the debate on the Little Catechism.
From Letters From Rome on the Council by D?llinger, Johann Joseph Ignaz von
"You cannot really be in earnest," persisted Miss Cunningham; "it was the most charming thing in the world; and every one was so happy."
From Amy Herbert by Sewell, Elizabeth
“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
