EARNEST Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'earnest' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of earnest are grave , sedate , serious , sober , solemn , and staid . While all these words mean "not light or frivolous," earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose. // an earnest reformer

Q: In what contexts can 'grave' take the place of 'earnest'?

The words grave and earnest can be used in similar contexts, but grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude. // read the proclamation in a grave voice

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sedate' instead of 'earnest'?

The synonyms sedate and earnest are sometimes interchangeable, but sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness. // remained sedate amid the commotion

Q: Where would 'serious' be a reasonable alternative to 'earnest'?

The words serious and earnest are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, serious implies a concern for what really matters. // a serious play about social injustice

Q: When can 'sober' be used instead of 'earnest'?

In some situations, the words sober and earnest are roughly equivalent. However, sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity. // a sober look at the state of our schools

Q: When might 'solemn' be a better fit than 'earnest'?

Although the words solemn and earnest have much in common, solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity. // a sad and solemn occasion

Q: When is 'staid' a more appropriate choice than 'earnest'?

While the synonyms staid and earnest are close in meaning, staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint. // a quiet and staid community

earnest 1 of 2

adjective

ˈər-nəst

Definition of earnest next

as in solemn

not joking or playful in mood or manner I'll accept only an earnest apology from you

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

earnest

2 of 2

noun

as in intentness

a mental state free of jesting or trifling I am in deadly earnest about this marriage proposal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word earnest different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of earnest are grave, sedate, serious, sober, solemn, and staid. While all these words mean "not light or frivolous," earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose.

an earnest reformer

In what contexts can grave take the place of earnest?

The words grave and earnest can be used in similar contexts, but grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude.

read the proclamation in a grave voice

When is it sensible to use sedate instead of earnest?

The synonyms sedate and earnest are sometimes interchangeable, but sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness.

remained sedate amid the commotion

Where would serious be a reasonable alternative to earnest?

The words serious and earnest are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, serious implies a concern for what really matters.

a serious play about social injustice

When can sober be used instead of earnest?

In some situations, the words sober and earnest are roughly equivalent. However, sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity.

a sober look at the state of our schools

When might solemn be a better fit than earnest?

Although the words solemn and earnest have much in common, solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity.

a sad and solemn occasion

When is staid a more appropriate choice than earnest?

While the synonyms staid and earnest are close in meaning, staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint.

a quiet and staid community

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of earnest

Adjective

The softer direction accompanied equally earnest lyrics, most of which found Pillsbury struggling to make sense of his breakup with social media star Emma Chamberlain last fall after three years of dating. —

Rachel Desantis, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024 State budget negotiations will not start in earnest until the new year, but Gov. Hochul is already backing off a push to cut funding to New York school districts that are losing enrollment. —

Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 4 Dec. 2024

Noun

The General Assembly should begin work in earnest in next year’s session on a comprehensive plan to forestall these calamities. —

The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2024 Yet there’s an undercurrent of uncertainty hovering over everything, as if Janet is waiting for her life to start in earnest and Lacy is unsure whether anything less than her mom’s full, undivided attention is enough to sustain her through childhood’s eventual end. —

David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for earnest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for earnest

Adjective

These gestures serve as solemn tributes to individuals who have served their communities and country, as well as to the memory of significant historical events.

Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Finding the cemetery after all this time was exciting but also solemn for Tony Guzzi, chief of preservation and site operations.

Travis Loller, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024