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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.

Traditionally, governors are given a 100-day grace period before their performance is judged in earnest.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

IBM is a storied tech giant, but it hasn’t been immune to a selloff that began in earnest at the start of the year.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Development of its massive resources began in earnest in the 1980s.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 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

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