EN

Synonyms for earnest

  • adjective
  • noun

Most common

strenuous fervent enthusiastic hearty serious solemn genuine sincere

Synonyms by meaning

Adjective

1. Strenuous — strenuous; diligent

strenuous, fervent, enthusiastic, hearty, eager, diligent, impassioned, assiduous, fervid, studious, ardent, passionate, zealous, vehement, spirited, industrious, warm, keen, affectionate, strong, painstaking, devoted

2. Serious — possessing or characterised by seriousness

serious, solemn, thoughtful, grave, urgent, somber US, sombre UK, sober, steady, demure, austere, weighty, staid, sedate, weightsome, grievous, saturnine

3. Genuine — serious, sincere, ingenuous

genuine, real, unfeigned, true, authentic, unadulterated

4. Sincere

sincere, heart-felt, devout, cordial, dear

Other

intent, business-like, intense, emphatic, purposeful, heavy, intensive, concentrated, instant, fateful, historic, affectual

Noun

seriousness, pledge, token, security, hansel

Antonyms

witty, sardonic, bantering

All antonyms of earnest →

Definitions

  1. adj. 1

    Serious, sincere, ingenuous.

  2. adj. 2

    Possessing or characterised by seriousness.

  3. adj. 3

    Strenuous; diligent.

  4. n. 1

    Gravity; serious purpose; earnestness.

Related words

Word family
earnestly earnestness
Phrases
in earnest earnest money

Forms

Plural
earnests → seriousnesses, pledges, tokens, securities…

Choose the right word

Earnest or Eager?

One is eager for the gratification of any appetite or passion; he is earnest in conviction, purpose, or character.

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Example sentences

  • eager Tom said that he was eager to eat lunch with Mary.
  • enthusiastic He always stands off when people are enthusiastic.
  • strenuous She is a strenuous supporter of women's rights.
  • fervent He was a fervent follower of Bouteflika.
  • serious Loss of health is more serious than loss of money.
  • solemn Ziri and Rima shook hands and swore a solemn oath.

Popularity over time

Word1850 → 2019Trend
earneststeady
eagerrising
enthusiasticsteady
strenuoussteady
ferventrising
serioussteady

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

4 letters
real1, true1, dear1, warm1, keen1
5 letters
heavy2, grave1, eager2, sober2, token2, staid1
6 letters
strong1, steady2, intent2, urgent2, pledge1, hearty2, solemn2, ardent2, devout2, somber2, sombre, sedate2, hansel2, demure2
7 letters
serious3, genuine3, intense2, instant2, devoted3, sincere2, cordial2, fateful2, fervent2, zealous2, austere2, weighty2
8 letters
security4, historic3, spirited3, diligent3, grievous2, emphatic3, vehement3, studious3
9 letters
intensive3, authentic3, strenuous3, assiduous3, saturnine, unfeigned, affectual
10 letters
passionate3, thoughtful2, purposeful3, weightsome
11 letters
seriousness4, impassioned3, painstaking3, industrious4
12 letters
concentrated4, enthusiastic5, affectionate4
13 letters
unadulterated6

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (heavy2 = 2 syllables).