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

Late last year, he launched a so-called "affordability tour" in Pennsylvania but it has failed to get going in earnest.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

Ellison began his quest in earnest with a September visit to Zaslav’s Beverly Hills home, once owned by legendary Paramount studio chief Robert Evans.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 28, 2026

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

From Slate • Feb. 25, 2026

For some reason this was what pushed her “over the edge,” as they say nowadays, and she began to cry in earnest.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

in earnest

Example Sentences

Related Words