Earnest vs. Implore — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 21, 2024
Earnest refers to a serious and sincere attitude or effort, while implore means to beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something.
Difference Between Earnest and Implore
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Key Differences
Earnest denotes a serious and sincere manner. When someone is earnest, they are deeply committed and sincere in their intentions or actions. For example, an earnest student is dedicated to their studies, showing genuine effort. Implore, on the other hand, means to beg or plead earnestly. When someone implores, they urgently and passionately ask for something. For instance, a person might implore a friend to stay in touch, expressing deep emotional urgency.
In communication, earnest expressions convey sincerity and depth of feeling without necessarily requesting action. An earnest apology is heartfelt and genuine. Conversely, imploring language seeks to elicit a specific response or action, such as imploring someone for help.
Earnest efforts are often associated with consistent dedication over time. A person working earnestly on a project demonstrates continuous, sincere effort. Implore involves an immediate, often intense appeal, focusing on the urgency of the request.
While earnestness reflects an individual's internal attitude or approach, imploring involves an outward plea directed at others. Both terms share the aspect of sincerity, but they differ in the nature and direction of their application.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Serious and sincere attitude
Beg or plead earnestly
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Nature
Internal attitude
Outward plea
Expression
Conveys sincerity
Seeks specific action
Duration
Continuous and consistent
Immediate and urgent
Example Context
Earnest student
Implore for forgiveness
Compare with Definitions
Earnest
Showing deep sincerity or seriousness.
He gave an earnest speech about the importance of education.
Implore
To beseech or entreat.
They implored the teacher for more time to complete the assignment.
Earnest
Serious and sincere.
Her earnest efforts to improve the community were appreciated by all.
Implore
To request earnestly and urgently.
She implored him not to leave her alone in the dark.
Earnest
With sincere and intense conviction.
She spoke in an earnest tone, hoping to convey her message clearly.
Implore
To beg earnestly.
She implored her parents to let her stay out late.
Earnest
Resulting from or showing sincere and intense conviction
Two girls were in earnest conversation
An earnest student
Implore
To make an urgent appeal.
The villagers implored the government for assistance after the flood.
Earnest
A thing intended or regarded as a sign or promise of what is to come
The very deliberateness of their disguise is an earnest of their real aloofness
Implore
To plead or beg desperately.
He implored his friend to reconsider the decision.
Earnest
Showing or expressing sincerity or seriousness
An earnest gesture of goodwill.
Implore
To appeal to in supplication; beseech
Implored the tribunal to have mercy.
Earnest
Earnest money.
Implore
To beg for urgently
Implored their advice in the matter.
Earnest
A token of something to come; a promise or assurance.
Implore
To make an earnest appeal.
Earnest
Gravity; serious purpose; earnestness.
Implore
(transitive)
Earnest
Seriousness; reality; actuality (as opposed to joking or pretence)
Implore
To beg or plead for (something) earnestly or urgently; to beseech.
Earnest
A sum of money paid in advance as a deposit; hence, a pledge, a guarantee, an indication of something to come.
Implore
To beg or plead that (someone) earnestly or urgently do something; to beseech, to entreat.
Earnest
(transitive) To be serious with; use in earnest.
Implore
(intransitive) Often followed by for (a thing) or of (a person): to express an earnest or urgent plea.
Earnest
(said of an action or an utterance) Serious or honest.
Implore
An act of begging or pleading earnestly or urgently; an entreaty, an imploration or imploring, a plea.
Earnest
(with a positive sense) Focused in the pursuit of an objective; eager to obtain or do.
Earnest prayers
Implore
To call upon, or for, in supplication; to beseech; to pray to, or for, earnestly; to petition with urgency; to entreat; to beg; - followed directly by the word expressing the thing sought, or the person from whom it is sought.
Imploring all the gods that reign above.
I kneel, and then implore her blessing.
Earnest
Intent; focused; showing a lot of concentration.
Earnest attention
Implore
To entreat; to beg; to prey.
Earnest
(said of a person or a person's character) Possessing or characterised by seriousness.
An earnest disposition
Implore
Imploration.
Earnest
Strenuous; diligent.
Earnest efforts
Implore
Call upon in supplication; entreat;
I beg you to stop!
Earnest
Serious; weighty; of a serious, weighty, or important nature; important.
Earnest
Seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness; intentness.
Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest.
And given in earnest what I begged in jest.
Earnest
Something given, or a part paid beforehand, as a pledge; pledge; handsel; a token of what is to come.
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
And from his coffersReceived the golden earnest of our death.
Earnest
Something of value given by the buyer to the seller, by way of token or pledge, to bind the bargain and prove the sale.
Earnest
Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavor; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; - used in a good sense; as, earnest prayers.
An earnest advocate to plead for him.
Earnest
Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention.
Earnest
Serious; important.
They whom earnest lets do often hinder.
Earnest
To use in earnest.
To earnest them [our arms] with men.
Earnest
Something of value given by one person to another to bind a contract
Earnest
Characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions;
Both sides were deeply in earnest, even passionate
An entirely sincere and cruel tyrant
A film with a solemn social message
Earnest
Earnest;
One's dearest wish
Devout wishes for their success
Heartfelt condolences
Earnest
Not distracted by anything unrelated to the goal
Earnest
Serious in intention, purpose, or effort.
His earnest approach to solving problems impressed his colleagues.
Earnest
Sincerely zealous.
The volunteers were earnest in their desire to help those in need.
Common Curiosities
Can you give an example of implore in a sentence?
E.g., She implored her friend to stay for dinner.
How is earnest used in a sentence?
E.g., He made an earnest attempt to resolve the conflict.
Is being earnest a positive trait?
Yes, being earnest is generally considered positive as it implies sincerity and dedication.
What does it mean to implore someone?
To implore someone means to beg or plead with them earnestly.
When might someone implore another person?
Someone might implore another person in a situation of urgent need or desperation.
Can earnest describe an attitude?
Yes, earnest can describe a sincere and serious attitude.
How do earnest efforts differ from casual attempts?
Earnest efforts are sincere and deeply committed, unlike casual attempts which are less serious.
What does earnest mean?
Earnest means showing serious and sincere effort or intention.
Does imploring always involve urgency?
Yes, imploring typically involves an urgent plea or request.
Can earnestness be faked?
While it can be, true earnestness is generally perceived as genuine sincerity.
Can earnest be used to describe a speech?
Yes, a speech can be described as earnest if it is delivered with sincere conviction.
What emotions are associated with implore?
Emotions like desperation, urgency, and deep pleading are associated with implore.
Is implore more intense than ask?
Yes, implore is more intense and implies desperation compared to simply asking.
Is imploring always verbal?
While often verbal, imploring can also be conveyed through actions or gestures.
Can someone be both earnest and imploring?
Yes, a person can be earnest in their intentions while imploring someone to take action.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
