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.

McKinney only started campaigning in earnest five weeks ago, but managed to win votes with a tough-on-crime campaign — even as some categories of city crime have dipped to historic lows.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

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

Even before the summer rush, which begins in earnest in a few days with Memorial Day weekend, California’s most visited national park is seeing enormous crowds.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 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

As if in reply, the wind gusted coldly and the rain began to beat down in earnest.

From "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman

in earnest

Example Sentences

Related Words