earnestness

[ ur-nist-nis ]

/ ˈɜr nɪst nɪs /

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noun

seriousness and zeal in intention, purpose, or effort: Socrates was a man of great moral earnestness, and exemplified in his own life some of the noblest virtues.

depth and sincerity of feeling: Speak with conviction and earnestness, and the people watching and listening will believe you.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of earnestness

earnest¹ + -ness

Words nearby earnestness

earned run average, earner, earnest, earnestly, earnest money, earnestness, earnings, earnings per share, Earnings Related Supplement, earn one's keep, earn one's stripes

How to use earnestness in a sentence

The final decision rests with states, which have been planning in earnest in recent weeks to get shots into arms.
Pfizer coronavirus vaccine could be cleared by mid-December following release of data showing it is more than 90 percent effective|Laurie McGinley, Lena H. Sun, Carolyn Y. Johnson|November 10, 2020|Washington Post
Those spending negotiations are expected to begin in earnest this week as lawmakers work to cobble together a massive package wrapping up the 12 annual must-pass spending bills that fund government agencies.
Lame-duck Congress and lame-duck president face huge challenges in coming weeks|Erica Werner, Paul Kane, Yasmeen Abutaleb|November 8, 2020|Washington Post
His “Take Me, I Love You” borrows Madison Avenue’s tools to make a pitch that’s earnest and even cosmic.
In the galleries: Referencing the revered Washington colorists and beyond|Mark Jenkins|November 6, 2020|Washington Post
Target is taking that one step further by setting up an online reservation system to allow people to get dibs on a spot in a line before leaving their homes on busy shopping days in the holiday season, which is getting started in earnest now.
Target is setting up a reservations system to manage lines on peak holiday shopping days|Phil Wahba|October 22, 2020|Fortune

Stimulus talks might be bogged down, but investors are getting excited for earnings season, which kicks off in earnest tomorrow.
Why earnings season could be the next big lift for stocks|Bernhard Warner|October 12, 2020|Fortune
“That earnestness in the vulnerability that Marcel has, I think maybe it leaks into a lot of my work,” she says.
Jenny Slate’s Earnest and Funny Abortion Film ‘Obvious Child’|Caryn James|June 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As one of his first questions, Fallon asked Mandel in all earnestness if Mandel had any talent.
Can Jimmy Fallon Be Himself on ‘The Tonight Show’?|Tom Shales|February 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That bold earnestness is what makes Israelis love him and at the same time terrifies American Jews.
Why Don't Young Diaspora Jews Like Naftali Bennett?|Elisheva Goldberg|May 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Ryan exuded Midwestern earnestness when Romney picked him, and the press gushed over his P90X workout regimen.
Why Paul Ryan’s Star Dimmed|Howard Kurtz|March 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
We do not doubt the kindness in their hearts nor the earnestness of their intentions.
How AIPAC Pushed Us To J Street|Harry Samuels, Simone Zimmerman|March 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Finding him awake, he sat by his side and, with the earnestness of a nursery-maid, patted him off to slumber.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
Lettice raised herself suddenly on her elbow and looked down at him with earnestness.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
He spoke with an animation and earnestness that gave an exaggerated importance to every syllable he uttered.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
She seemed to speak the truth; her countenance was white and agitated, and she trembled with very earnestness.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens
Poor Queeker said this and shook hands with as much earnestness as if he had not seen Katie for five years.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne

earnestness

Origin of earnestness

Words nearby earnestness

Words related to earnestness

How to use earnestness in a sentence