Synonyms of earnest
90 similar words
Another word for earnest is serious. Other synonyms of earnest are grave, real, true and actual.
Synonyms and similar words for earnest
adjectiveSerious, sincere, ingenuous.
- authentic
- actual
- bona fide
- genuine
- legit
- legitimate
- lubish
- non-fake
- pukka
- real
- sterling
- true
- unadulterated
- uncounterfeitedNot counterfeited; genuine.
- undissembled
- unfakedNot faked.
- unfeigned
- veritable
adjectiveIntent; focused; showing a lot of concentration.
adjectivePossessing or characterised by seriousness.
- graveCharacterised by a dignified sense of seriousness.
- austere
- frightful
- demureModest, quiet, reserved, or serious.
- seriousWithout humor or expression of happiness; grave in manner or disposition.
- grievousSerious, grave, dire, or dangerous.
- lack-laughterCheerless; sombre; serious.
- thoughtful
- saturnine
- sedateOf a person or animal, or their behaviour: calm and composed (often in a dignified manner), and avoiding or unaffected...
- solemnDeeply serious and sombre; grave.
- solemncholy humorousSolemn; serious.
- soberSubdued; solemn; grave.
- somber
- sombreGrave; extremely serious.
- staidNot capricious or impulsive; sedate, serious, sober.
- stern
- sweer UK, dialectal
- weightsomeOf, pertaining to, possessing, or characterised by weight; weighty; weightful; heavy; grave; grievous.
- weighty figurativelyImportant; serious; not trivial or petty.
- sad obsoleteDignified, serious, grave.
- sage obsolete
adjectiveStrenuous; diligent.
- painstakingCarefully attentive to details; studious; diligent in performing a process or procedure.
- assiduousHard-working, diligent or regular (in attendance or work); industrious.
- diligentPerforming with industrious concentration; hard-working and focused.
- doggedStubbornly persevering, steadfast.
- hardworkingOf a person, taking their work seriously and doing it well and rapidly.
- industriousHard-working and persistent.
- notable
- sedulous
- studiousEarnest in endeavors; attentive; diligent.
- worksome archaic
adjectiveSerious; weighty; of a serious, weighty, or important nature; important.
- historic
- bigEnthusiastic (about).
- central
- consequential
- critical
- crucial
- epochfulImportant, momentous.
- essential
- extraordinary
- fateful
- heavy
- pivotal
- high on the totem poleAccorded relatively high importance.
- innegligibleNot negligible.
- key
- life-or-death
- meaningful
- necessary
- notedWell known because of one's reputation; famous, celebrated.
- noticeable
- observable
- outstanding
- paramount
- pertinentImportant with regard to (a subject or matter); pertaining; relevant.
- relevant
- remarkable
- salient
- significant
- unignorableThat cannot be ignored.
- valuable
- vital
- fatefraught archaic, rareFateful.
- fatesome rareCharacterised or marked by fate; fateful.
Meaning of earnest
- noun Gravity; serious purpose; earnestness.
- noun Seriousness; reality; actuality (as opposed to joking or pretence).
- verb To be serious with; use in earnest.
earnest in other languages
Questions about synonyms of earnest
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: earnest (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this page: “Synonyms of earnest.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/earnest. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.