Serious enough to resent a change (7)

I believe the answer is:

earnest

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

'resent a change' is the wordplay.
'change' indicates an anagram.
'resent'+'a'='resenta'
'resenta' with letters rearranged gives 'EARNEST'.

'enough to' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for earnest that I've seen before include "Sincere; determined" , "Solemn; pledge" , "Serious, solemn" , "Serious; pledge" , "'Serious, sincere (7)'" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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