If you say something earnestly, you say it very seriously, often because you believe that it is important or you are trying to persuade someone else to believe it.
'Did you?' she asked earnestly.
In 1990, we were all earnestly assured that property values could only go up.
Synonyms: seriously, truly, sincerely, in earnest More Synonyms of earnestly
2. adverb [usually ADVERB with verb, oft ADVERB adjective]
If you do something earnestly, you do it in a thorough and serious way, intending to succeed.
She always listened earnestly as if this might help her to understand.
3. adverb [ADVERB before verb]
If you earnestly hope or wish for something, you hope or wish strongly and sincerely for it.
I earnestly hope what I learned will serve me well in my new job.
Synonyms: genuinely, keenly, eagerly, passionately More Synonyms of earnestly
More Synonyms of earnestly
Examples of 'earnestly' in a sentence
earnestly
So a quick note to all those friends of mine who have earnestly told me about theirs.
The Sun (2013)
It is earnestly hoped they rise to the challenge.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
No one with any soul can really find it funny when a rugby nation so earnestly sets about hurting itself.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He will say earnestly, poor benighted souls.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It was earnestly hoped not.
Travers, P L What the Bee Knows - reflections on myth, symbol and story (1989)
I have legions of fans that need me,' he says earnestly.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
I think injustice is the one thing that is more of an irritant to me than anything,' he says quietly and earnestly.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
earnestly
British English: earnestly ADVERB
If you say something earnestly, you say it very seriously, often because you believe that it is important.
'Did you?' she asked earnestly.
American English: earnestly
Brazilian Portuguese: com seriedade
Chinese: 认真地
European Spanish: seriamente
French: sérieusement
German: ernsthaft
Italian: con serietà
Japanese: 真剣に
Korean: 진지하게
European Portuguese: com seriedade
Latin American Spanish: seriamente
1 (adverb)
`Do you really mean it?' she asked earnestly.
Synonyms
seriously
Seriously, though, something must be done about it.
truly
a truly splendid man
sincerely
He sincerely believed that she was acting in his interest.
in earnest
Campaigning will begin in earnest tomorrow.
in all sincerity
2 (adverb)
I earnestly hope what I learned will serve me well in my new job.
Synonyms
genuinely
keenly
eagerly
passionately
He spoke passionately about the country's moral crisis.
enthusiastically
fervently
ardently
fanatically
devotedly
3 (adverb)
He is earnestly pursuing these objectives.
Synonyms
sincerely
really
Do you really think he would be that stupid?
truly
I truly never minded caring for him.
honestly
Did you honestly think we wouldn't notice?
wholeheartedly
in all sincerity
from the bottom of your heart
Additional synonyms
in the sense of honestly
Definition
truly
Did you honestly think we wouldn't notice?
Synonyms
really,
actually,
truly,
genuinely,
assuredly
in the sense of in earnest
Definition
with serious or sincere intentions
Campaigning will begin in earnest tomorrow.
Synonyms
seriously,
resolutely,
earnestly,
wholeheartedly
in the sense of passionately
He spoke passionately about the country's moral crisis.