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.

He graduated high school early to begin his career in earnest, and he signed with Hendrick Motorsports in 2003.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

“It’s been in my mind since last year, and at the beginning of this year, I started — in earnest — putting something together,” Milgrom says.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

He said: "We will begin the government in earnest as a united team, of energy, talent and experience, ready to serve."

From BBC • May 13, 2026

Energy executives and Wall Street investors believe American companies won’t dial up output in earnest in the coming months.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

In the end, however, Aravis managed to make her friend believe that she was in earnest and even to discuss plans.

From "The Horse and His Boy" by C.S. Lewis

in earnest

Example Sentences

Related Words