n. 25B6; adjective
he is dreadfully earnest : SERIOUS, solemn, grave, sober, humourless, staid, intense; committed, dedicated, keen, diligent, zealous; thoughtful, cerebral, deep, profound.
earnest prayer : DEVOUT, heartfelt, wholehearted, sincere, impassioned, fervent, ardent, intense, urgent.
frivolous, half-hearted.
25A0; in earnest
we are in earnest about stopping burglaries : SERIOUS, sincere, wholehearted, genuine; committed, firm, resolute, determined.
he started writing in earnest : ZEALOUSLY, purposefully, determinedly, resolutely; passionately, wholeheartedly.