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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.

Traditionally, governors are given a 100-day grace period before their performance is judged in earnest.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

The topic of how to handle the crisis will be the primary focus of the Spring Meetings, which begin in earnest next week.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

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

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

The U.S. focused on Iran’s military and industrial power, and Israel went after the structures of internal control in earnest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

At sundown, it began to snow in earnest.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland