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

“Well, I must say,” cried her sister, “he seems to be in earnest, at any rate, even if you are not.”

From The Brute by Kummer, Frederic Arnold

"Can you be in earnest, aunt Betsy?" said Agnes, looking very pale.

From The Widow Barnaby Vol. III (of 3) by Trollope, Frances Eleanor

You surely cannot be in earnest in trying to separate your daughter and myself.

From Cora and The Doctor or Revelations of A Physician's Wife by Leslie, Madeline