Synonyms for earnest
ˈɜr nɪstearnest

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.0 / 1 vote

1. earnest

   One is eager who impatiently desires to accomplish some end; one is earnest with a desire that is less impatient, but more deep, resolute, and constant; one is anxious with a desire that foresees rather the pain of disappointment than the delight of attainment. One is eager for the gratification of any appetite or passion; he is earnest in conviction, purpose, or character. Eager usually refers to some specific and immediate satisfaction, earnest to something permanent and enduring; the patriotic soldier is earnest in his devotion to his country, eager for a decisive battle.

   Synonyms:
   animated, anxious, ardent, burning, desirous, eager, enthusiastic, fervent, glowing, hot, impatient, impetuous, importunate, intense, intent, keen, longing, vehement, yearning, zealous

   Antonyms:
   apathetic, calm, careless, cold, cool, dispassionate, frigid, heedless, indifferent, negligent, phlegmatic, purposeless, regardless, stolid, stony, stupid, unconcerned, uninterested, unmindful, unmoved

   Preposition:
   Eager for (more rarely after) favor, honor, etc.; eager in pursuit.

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. earnest

   Synonyms:
   eager, serious, intent, determined, strenuous, solemn, grave, warm, fervent, intense, ardent

   Antonyms:
   indifferent, idle, playful, desultory, irresolute, unearnest, sportive, jesting, flippant

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:1.0 / 1 vote

1. earnestadjective

   something of value given by one person to another to bind a contract

   Antonyms:
   frivolous, purposeless, insincere

2. earnest, sincere, solemnadjective

   characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions

   "both sides were deeply in earnest, even passionate"; "an entirely sincere and cruel tyrant"; "a film with a solemn social message"

   Synonyms:
   dear, heartfelt, businesslike, sincere, grave, sedate, sober, devout, solemn

   Antonyms:
   frivolous, insincere, purposeless

3. dear, devout, earnest, heartfeltadjective

   earnest

   "one's dearest wish"; "devout wishes for their success"; "heartfelt condolences"

   Synonyms:
   dear(p), pricy, pricey, devout, heartfelt, high-priced, beloved, businesslike, god-fearing, good, darling, costly, solemn, near, sincere, dear

   Antonyms:
   insincere, purposeless, frivolous

4. businesslike, earnestadjective

   not distracted by anything unrelated to the goal

   Synonyms:
   sincere, businesslike, devout, solemn, heartfelt, dear

   Antonyms:
   insincere, frivolous, purposeless

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. earnestadjective

   Synonyms:
   ardent, zealous, eager, fervent, fervid, glowing, animated, importunate, warm, hearty

2. earnestadjective

   Synonyms:
   intent, steady, fixed, close

3. earnestnoun

   Synonyms:
   seriousness, reality, not a jest

4. earnestnoun

   Synonyms:
   pledge, first-fruits

5. earnestnoun

   Synonyms:
   EARNEST-MONEY

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. earnestadjective

   Synonyms:
   unfeigned, ardent, sincere, fervent, impassioned, zealous, intent

2. earnestnoun

   Synonyms:
   sincerity, seriousness, good faith, pledge, handsel, token, foretaste

   Antonyms:
   jest

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "earnest":

   sincere, serious, conscientiously, fervent, seriousness, earnestly, ardent, seriously

How to pronounce earnest?

How to say earnest in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use earnest in a sentence?

1. President Obama:

   President Obama, for President Obama part, mostly has steered clear of taking shots at President Obama successor. But an avalanche of criticism on Monday about alleged Russian interference in the presidential election, mostly from Democratic leaders, gave way to an extended critique from Earnest during the White House press briefing. Speaking later with Trevor Noah, President Obama echoed Earnest in noting that Donald Trump had joked the Russians should hack Democratic rival Hillary Clinton’s secret email server to recover tens of thousands of emails she had deleted prior to an FBI investigation. The President-elect in some of Trevor Noah political events specifically said to the Russians, hack Hillary's emails so we can finally find out what's going on and confirm our conspiracy theories.

2. Ron Leffler:

   When there are multiple offers to choose from, sometimes the financial difference between the leading offers is minimal. Look for creative ways to lower the seller’s risk to make your offer more attractive, reducing the number of contingencies you have is the first step, we saw many buyers drop most or all of them in 2021. Consider a very high or non-refundable earnest money deposit, which sends a serious message, [though you should] make sure you’re willing to go that far.

3. Zhai Qing:

   (Environmental inspectors) must confront the hard tasks in earnest and not be afraid of offending people... and never let violators off the hook without resolving the problem.

4. Bernard Mandeville:

   The multitude will hardly believe the excessive force of education, and in the difference of modesty between men and women, ascribe that to nature, which is altogether owing to early instruction: Miss is scarce three years old, but she's spoke to every day to hide her leg, and rebuked in good earnest if she shows it; whilst little Master at the same age is bid to take up his coats, and piss like a man.

5. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang:

   China has already conducted an earnest investigation and we have also given initial feedback to the U.S. side, currently, we have not found any reasons or clues leading to the situation described by the United States.