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.

Made in the earnest style of a disease-of-the-week television movie without ever tipping over into winking irony, the film is both funny and tender.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Development of its massive resources began in earnest in the 1980s.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

"I do believe that he's a very earnest, sound person," Martin said when Trump criticized Starmer for failing to help on Iran.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

"I got it wrong. I felt that was where we were," he told MPs, adding that "things drop away" over Christmas and New Year, but work was now under way "in earnest".

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Father, who was incapable of practicing deceit or even recognizing it, took a long and earnest sniff.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom