EARNESTLY Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

earnestly

adverb

Definition of earnestly

as in sincerely

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

as in ardently

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of earnestly Maybe the only thing scarier than the opening scene of The Happening is Mark Wahlberg attempting to earnestly and fearfully talk to a plant. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026 And of course there will always be readers who balk at SF, refusing to countenance that our lived reality is saturated with it, and that the time for earnestly realistic state-of-the-nation novels may have passed. — Literary Hub, 11 June 2026 Behind them, Lauren Lloyd, 33, visiting from Nashville, sat earnestly scribbling on her wish tag, which was filled from edge to edge with neat script. — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026 This proves a particular coup in the case of Blunt, who here gets to merge her comedy and action chops within a more earnestly emotive register, playing Margaret as a fount of crackpot conviction. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for earnestly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for earnestly

Adverb

Colquitt sincerely believes that her work can restore the dignity too often denied people in their last days.

— John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026
But the results and the action on the field were second to the experience for Baldwin, who was sincerely present in the moment during the two days of All-Star Game activities.

— Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of sincerely

Adverb

And there is a shocking dearth of evidence to the contrary, given how ardently Peters and her supporters have clung to this narrative for the past six years.

— The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 7 July 2026
Kevan Harris, an associate professor of sociology at UCLA who has studied the Iranian diaspora, said some of the ardently monarchist Iranians became disillusioned and demobilized when the war’s initial objective of regime change failed.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026

Definition of ardently

Adverb

There’s a case to be made for every tic-tac-toe set being a travel tic-tac-toe set, due quite simply to its size; but this leather kit transforms one of the world’s simplest games into a luxury accessory.

— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 8 Aug. 2026
Some travel essentials are simply non-negotiable, from a blackout eye mask for sleeping on the plane to a personal safety alarm for peace of mind.

— Hayley Domin, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of simply

Adverb

One way in which Wounaan do so is conscientiously sharing and redistributing food, money, wisdom and the like to foster equity.

— Chenier Carpio Opua, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2026
By thinking locally, building conscientiously, and operationalizing sustainability in our deployment choices, AI users, companies, and developers can also help ensure that the infrastructure powering our future doesn’t cost us the earth.

— Sasha Luccioni, Time, 3 July 2026

Definition of conscientiously

Adverb

Most telling is how openly Stassi disdains the idea of therapy, even insisting to the horror of pretty much everyone else onscreen that forcing hard conversations on reality TV is her therapy.

— Caroline Framke, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
The honest move is to redesign the coordination function openly.

— Pallavi Mahajan, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of openly

Adverb

Three had suffered burns, one seriously enough to be hospitalized twice and sent to a burn center after the injury was initially waved off as minor.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
March 21 – April 19 One clear sentence could change how seriously people take your plan.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of seriously

Adverb

The Child has placed his foot on the basket of yarns and has grasped the yarnwinder and gazes attentively at the four spokes that are in the form of a cross.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
At one point during the BBC’s broadcast of the event, as shared by a fan on X, the cameras cut to show Kate explaining something about the match to her daughter, who looked on attentively and nodded.

— Meg Walters, InStyle, 14 July 2026

Definition of attentively

Browse Nearby Words

earnest

earnestly

earnestness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Earnestly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earnestly. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of earnestly

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on earnestly

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

anecdote

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes