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Definitions

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.

While the war in Iran lately has instilled volatility in the market, the software selloff began in earnest at the end of January.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

The city began life as a nameless Celtic settlement, but Prague’s history starts in earnest in the Middle Ages, when it flourished as the capital of the Slavic duchy-turned-kingdom of Bohemia.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Scotland's attack was largely barren in the Six Nations from 2000 to 2015, when Russell turned up in earnest.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

When the interview begins in earnest, the choreography is familiar.

From Slate • Feb. 25, 2026

Kepler chose exile: “Hypocrisy I have never learned. I am in earnest about faith. I do not play with it.”

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.