Earnest
Earnest adjective - Not joking or playful in mood or manner.
Usage example: I'll accept only an earnest apology from you
Preposterous is an antonym for earnest.
Nearby Words: earnestness, earnestly
Preposterous
Preposterous adjective - So foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter.
Usage example: the movie thriller had such a preposterous plot that we were on the edge of our seats snickering
Earnest is an antonym for preposterous.
Both words in one sentence
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Completely Missing the Point: When Jimmy expresses disbelief that Lola would have anything to do with Algie, Earnest agrees with him - because it's "preposterous - everyone knows Algie likes blondes." Crapsaccharine World: Bullworth Academy could be seen as this.
Source: Video Game / Bully
Cite this Source
Preposterous and Earnest. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 29, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/earnest/preposterous
Earnest & Preposterous. N.p., 2016. Web. 29 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/earnest/preposterous>.
Preposterous or Earnest. 2016. Accessed July 29, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/earnest/preposterous.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "earnest" and "preposterous" have occurred on timeline