be in earnest
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In Washington, Reagan Administration officials stressed that the Soviet leader's reform efforts seem to be in earnest, and avoided dashing hopes for better U.S.-Soviet ties.
From Time Magazine Archive
Those imams who still counsel against jihadist terrorism, says Kepel, may be in earnest.
From Time Magazine Archive
If this sort of thing is involved in a man's being in earnest, he had not need be in earnest about anything more than once in his life.
From The Doctor's Wife by M. E. (Mary Elizabeth) Braddon
The certainty that the Curia would be in earnest about it gave them somewhat more energy than they had shown in the debate on the Little Catechism.
From Letters From Rome on the Council by Johann Joseph Ignaz von D?llinger
Surely—surely you can't be in earnest, sir—" "Oh yes, I am.
From The Hills of Refuge A Novel by Will N. (Will Nathaniel) Harben
