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. Robin Junger:

   The law is absolutely clear on this, the Supreme Court of Canada has said so many times: Consultation is important, it has to be done in earnest and meaningfully, but it doesn't provide a veto.

2. David Cohen:

   Institutions first started opening their back doors( releasing long-term residents) around the mid-1950s, then starting to close their front doors( admitting fewer people, especially for longer stays, and reducing the number of available beds within institutions) starting around the late 1960s and the early 1970s to the mid-1980s, then shutting down in earnest from the mid-1980s onward.

3. Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek:

   The EU is currently doing the impact analysis, and we are doing the impact analysis, and we're hoping that at the latest some time in the beginning of 2017 negotiations could start in earnest.

4. Confucius:

   I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge I am one who is fond of antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there.

5. Henry Tuckerman:

   To impress others we must be earnest; to amuse them, it is only necessary to be kindly and fanciful.