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

Is Mr. Clark being playful here, or is he in earnest?

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

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

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

“Thank you, I will,” he answered in jest, and a few months later he did it in earnest.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott