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.

Simply put, a lot of people need to be convinced before the AI revolution can happen in earnest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

As beach season begins in earnest, so should beach-reading season be given its due.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

However, it was also the year Nadal's injury struggle began in earnest.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

He graduated high school early to begin his career in earnest, and he signed with Hendrick Motorsports in 2003.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

She stepped back from the bars, disgusted, and the warriors snickered again in earnest.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

in earnest

Example Sentences

Related Words