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. Charles Dickens:

   Whatever I have tried to do in life, I have tried with all my heart to do it well whatever I have devoted myself to, I have devoted myself completely in great aims and in small I have always thoroughly been in earnest.

2. Josh Earnest:

   The president's comments were more in line with what officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity told CNN and other outlets after the ships were deployed Monday : that the U.S. ships were moved closer to Yemen to monitor and dissuade the Iranian convoy. Josh Earnest, though, focused on the need for the U.S. Navy ships to keep the region's waters safe for commerce. READ : Rubio, Kirk : No nuclear deal unless Iran releases reporter The movement of the -- of this particular aircraft carrier would augment the American military presence in the Gulf of Aden and would send a clear signal about our continued insistence about the free flow of commerce and the freedom of movement in the region.

3. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:

   Life is real Life is earnest And the grave is not its goal Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul.

4. Chris Remington:

   The massive redemptions that occurred in 2014 and in the opening of 2015 have largely abated, and short-term rates haven't started rising yet so increased retail buying hasn't begun in earnest.

5. 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.