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.

Butler was intrigued, but had to wait for the script before he could work on the music in earnest.

From Los Angeles Times

The work to remove the rubble can only begin in earnest if Israeli authorities allow into Gaza heavy machinery and equipment needed to move debris and destroy unexploded ordnance.

From The Wall Street Journal

The biggest and best films, shows and stars from the past year have been named on the shortlists for Golden Globes glory, as this year's Hollywood award season gets under way in earnest.

From BBC

After years of permitting account sharing, Netflix cracked down on the practice in earnest in recent years, delivering a revenue windfall.

From The Wall Street Journal

The stock fell and then stagnated, seemingly relentlessly, for years, before a rebound began in earnest in late 2024.

From Barron's

in earnest

Example Sentences

Related Words