in earnest

ADJECTIVE

sobersided

Synonyms

WEAK

austere bound bound and determined businesslike cold sober contemplative deadpan deliberate determined downbeat earnest funereal genuine go for broke grave grim honest intent long-faced meditative no-nonsense pensive pokerfaced reflective resolute resolved sedate set severe sincere sober solemn staid steady stern thoughtful unhumorous unsmiling weighty

ADVERB

seriously

Synonyms

STRONGEST

actively earnestly passionately sincerely vigorously

STRONG

gravely

WEAK

all joking aside cool it cut the comedy determinedly down fervently for real in all conscience in all seriousness intently purposefully resolutely sedately simmer down soberly solemnly sternly straighten out thoughtfully with a straight face with forethought with sobriety zealously

Antonyms

WEAK

casually funnily lightly minor trivially

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“It’s been in my mind since last year, and at the beginning of this year, I started — in earnest — putting something together,” Milgrom says.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

U.S. crude prices have averaged almost $99 a barrel since April 1, up 59% from the year-earlier period, and there are few signs energy shipments are beginning to move in earnest through the Persian Gulf.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

The show opened with a recap of that song - before the competition started in earnest with Denmark's Søren Torpegaard Lund.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

He said: "We will begin the government in earnest as a united team, of energy, talent and experience, ready to serve."

From BBC • May 13, 2026

In mid-November the rains started in earnest, chilly, drenching day-long downpours that left beads of moisture even on the inside walls.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

in earnest

Example Sentences

Related Words