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.

But an effort to remove him from the country was started in earnest.

From Los Angeles Times

He became chairman in January 2025 and succession planning began in earnest.

From Los Angeles Times

Last week, U.S. banks kicked off in earnest the latest earnings season.

From Barron's

“Flu started to rise, in earnest, by mid-December and rates are still up,” said Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, regional physician chief of infectious diseases for Kaiser Permanente.

From Los Angeles Times

“Anyone who wants to work with us in earnest to solve our affordable housing and homelessness crisis, we want to work with. ... That said, his actions in and around the city leave us with questions.”

From Los Angeles Times

in earnest

Example Sentences

Related Words