in earnest

phrase

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

The clock starts ticking in earnest then for how many games could be missed before these important contract provisions kick in. — Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Since pulling their catalog from Spotify last year, Sylvan Esso have announced a giant tour of North America that begins in earnest in the fall, before a second leg in early 2027. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 21 July 2026

After Wimbledon ends, tennis takes a couple of weeks to return to clay courts in Europe before getting into hard-court season in earnest. — James Hansen, New York Times, 20 July 2026

When Moore finally abandons the pretense and focuses in earnest on his presidential ambitions, the damage to Maryland will be incalculable and likely irreparable. — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2026

Rhymes for in earnest

• internist
• sternest