as in intentness
a mental state free of jesting or trifling
practiced the art of acting with great earnestness
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Recent Examples of earnestness
Kapetan’s yearning, intimate voice is still front and center, mixing and modernizing elements of favorites of the aughts like Conor Oberst (his earnestness), Ben Kweller (his wit), and Sufjan Stevens (his beauty).
—
Brendan Hay, SPIN, 27 Apr. 2026
Not too serious or sappy, but with room for both earnestness and whimsy.
—New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
The earnestness of these calls to join is refreshing compared to the distance currently felt in many places, where the disconnection can make neighbors feel like strangers.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
But the Explosive News representative spoke of their efforts with a lofty earnestness.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
His ability to balance earnestness and whimsy, dedication and delight, have reaped palpable benefits for SummerFest.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Taparjan’s voiceover fills the soundtrack with the same earnestness.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
The violent earnestness is like a speaker-phone therapy session on a crowded subway.
—Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 17 Mar. 2026
That thread of earnestness in the plot and character development definitely makes its way into the finale.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 17 Mar. 2026
Brendan Hay, SPIN, 27 Apr. 2026
Not too serious or sappy, but with room for both earnestness and whimsy.
—New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
The earnestness of these calls to join is refreshing compared to the distance currently felt in many places, where the disconnection can make neighbors feel like strangers.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
But the Explosive News representative spoke of their efforts with a lofty earnestness.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
His ability to balance earnestness and whimsy, dedication and delight, have reaped palpable benefits for SummerFest.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Taparjan’s voiceover fills the soundtrack with the same earnestness.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
The violent earnestness is like a speaker-phone therapy session on a crowded subway.
—Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 17 Mar. 2026
That thread of earnestness in the plot and character development definitely makes its way into the finale.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for earnestness
Noun
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Factoring in all these efforts, Smith said earnings growth will start to outpace sales starting in fiscal 2027, which begins in earnest in October of this year.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
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Rattlesnake activity began in earnest in March, a month ahead of the start of the peak season, which is typically from April to October.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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When one of these clouds fragments into parts, gravity causes pockets within the fragments to collapse, with the density and temperature at the core of each pocket rising.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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The probe was delayed from 2022, and headed for the asteroid Psyche, using a Mars-gravity assist and not arriving until August 2029.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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These sports spectacles should be a moment for City Hall to project competence, stability, and seriousness.—
Matt Klink,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
-
Prosecutors had urged the judge ahead of Thursday's hearing to order Allen to remain in custody in the lead-up to a trial, arguing in court papers that the seriousness of the charges warranted his continued detention.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Earnestness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earnestness. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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