Serious Eastern muddle (7)

I believe the answer is:

earnest

'serious' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'eastern muddle' is the wordplay.
'muddle' is an anagram indicator.
'eastern' anagrammed gives 'EARNEST'.

(Other definitions for earnest that I've seen before include "Nearest (anag.)" , "showing seriousness" , "See 1" , "Sneer at (anag) -- serious" , "Impassioned" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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