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.

Construction on housing is expected to start in earnest next year on the campus of Vermont’s Goddard College, which closed in 2024.

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

Even before the summer rush, which begins in earnest in a few days with Memorial Day weekend, California’s most visited national park is seeing enormous crowds.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

The use of AI at many companies began in earnest in recent years with proofs of concept.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

“Professor, are you in earnest; or it is some monstrous joke? Pardon me, I see that you are in earnest.”

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

in earnest

Example Sentences

Related Words