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earnestly

earnestly

20 3.9
In a serious and honest way that shows a strong wish
  • adverb
  • /ˈɜrnɪstli/
translation icon : sinceramente
  • I earnestly wish to be your friend.
  • prayed earnestly
  • earnestly strives
  • earnestly believes

But there is something powerful about earnestly caring and trying.

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Examples

  • Meanwhile, the London public are earnestly reminded of the emergency orders already issued.

  • So I earnestly believe that climate warming of the planet is an existential threat to our survival, right?

  • In these days when young people want so earnestly to make their own decisions.

  • And then there are things that you have to work more earnestly towards.

  • But they can go no further and they earnestly trust that the Conference and the Italian government will accept them.

  • But there is something powerful about earnestly caring and trying.

  • I earnestly beseech you to come to an understanding.

  • "We want you to stay a day or two, Milly," he earnestly told me.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • There are other people there, but if you're looking earnestly for that relationship, you'll find it.

  • I earnestly wish to be your friend and support you in every way possible.

Synonyms

truly
vsearnestly
1.0

In a real and honest way

adds strong serious feeling and a deeper emotional intention
seriously
vsearnestly
1.6

In a way that shows you mean what you say

is similarly grave but adds deeper sincere emotional commitment
genuinely
vsearnestly
216 2.5

In a real and honest way, not pretending

adds stronger seriousness and deep heartfelt intention to the honesty
sincerely
vsearnestly
152 1.0

In a way that shows true feelings without pretending

is more deeply emotional and carries heartfelt intention not just honesty
wholeheartedly
vsearnestly
57 4.6

Completely and sincerely, with full support and no doubts

is more focused on sober seriousness rather than energetic enthusiasm
solemnly
vsearnestly
  • Formal
57 4.2

To speak or act in a serious and respectful way

is more emotionally warm and heartfelt rather than formally grave
from the heart
vsearnestly
55 3.8

Someone does something in an honest way showing real feeling

adds solemn seriousness and deliberate purpose to that genuine feeling
in earnest
vsearnestly
32 4.8

To do something with serious effort and not as a joke

is more emotional and deeply heartfelt rather than only serious
authentically
vsearnestly
14 4.4

In a real way that matches the original or traditional form

adds solemn serious feeling and deep heartfelt intention to authenticity
ardently
vsearnestly
7 4.9

In a way that shows strong feeling and great enthusiasm

is more calmly serious and less purely emotional in intent
in a heartfelt way
vsearnestly
1 4.1

Shows deep, real feeling and care when speaking or acting

is serious as well but focuses more on deep intentional feeling
heartfully
vsearnestly
6.5

In a warm, honest way that shows real feeling

adds a stronger sense of serious intention to that warmth
unfeignedly
vsearnestly
  • Archaic
9.5

In a sincere and honest way that shows true feeling

adds clear serious purpose and inner resolve to that genuineness
unaffectedly
vsearnestly
6.1

In a natural, honest way without pretending or showing off

is more intentionally serious and shows deeper heartfelt commitment
entreatingly
vsearnestly
  • Literature
7.4

To ask for something in a pleading way

is general serious sincerity rather than specifically pleading for help
suppliantly
vsearnestly
  • Formal
8.4

In a humble, begging way to ask for something

is broader serious sincerity not limited to humble or pleading speech

Antonyms

103 2.5

In a relaxed, not very careful way

How Earnest

ardently
7 4.9
passionately
66 2.8
earnestly
20 3.9
sincerely
152 1.0
seriously
1.6

Surface Forms

earnestly positive

Morphology

earnestly = earnest (transparent) = earnest + ly

The adverb is formed by the regular addition of '-ly' to the adjective 'earnest', preserving the adjective's meaning.

Etymology

Earnestly comes from the old English word earnest, which meant 'serious' or a 'deep desire'. It is not about making money like the modern word earn. So, to act earnestly is to do something with true, serious feeling and honest intention.