in earnest
idiom
1
: in an earnest or serious way
The search began in earnest when the police arrived.
After light showers during the day, it began to rain in earnest in the evening.
It's hard to tell if he's making this proposal in earnest.
2
: not fooling : serious and sincere
We thought he was joking at first, but then we realized that he was in earnest.
Examples of in earnest in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While Cardi’s position in the rap game was hardly questioned in earnest, questions abounded.
—
Kyle Denis, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2025
But in earnest, the depth chart looks underwhelming right now.
—Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2025
This report is a call to start those conversations in earnest.
—Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 22 Sep. 2025
And soon as this new, doomed love kicks off in earnest, hostess Mel (Gus Birney) overdoses on something Jules gave her.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in earnest
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Kyle Denis, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2025
But in earnest, the depth chart looks underwhelming right now.
—Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2025
This report is a call to start those conversations in earnest.
—Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 22 Sep. 2025
And soon as this new, doomed love kicks off in earnest, hostess Mel (Gus Birney) overdoses on something Jules gave her.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in earnest
Cite this Entry
“In earnest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20earnest. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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