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.
Those imams who still counsel against jihadist terrorism, says Kepel, may be in earnest.
From Time Magazine Archive
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
His words, his looks, his whole attitude, proclaimed him to be in earnest.
From The White Gauntlet by Reid, Mayne
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 Braddon, M. E. (Mary Elizabeth)
Aben Habuz smiled at first at what he regarded as a humorous sally on the part of the sage; but when he discovered him to be in earnest he waxed wroth.
From Legends & Romances of Spain by Spence, Lewis
