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
After the appeals court rules, the lawsuit likely will return to Boise, where the substance of the challenge will be litigated in earnest.
—
Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 18 Apr. 2024
But the task of saving the planet has begun in earnest as states both compete and cooperate in an energy transition on which humanity’s future depends.
—David Lammy, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2024
By 1877, farmers in Yorkshire—a region of northern England that was already a rhubarb-growing epicenter—had taken up the practice in earnest.
—Corey Buhay, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
The Sacramento Kings’ postseason dreams kick off in earnest Tuesday night, when De’Aaron Fox and Co. host the Golden State Warriors in a rematch of last year’s scintillating first-round playoff series.
—Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 14 Apr. 2024
But before that Job-like tale could begin in earnest, Patel had to get his feet wet.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2024
Officials have spent the past year getting ready in earnest, poring over white papers on how comparable cities have handled past eclipses, Mr. Kaler said.
—Sarah Maslin Nir, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2024
As the presidential campaign for the 2024 general election now begins in earnest, many Americans will begin to pay closer attention to President Joe Biden’s and former president Donald Trump’s plans for a second term.
—Roger Ream, National Review, 16 Mar. 2024
Gretzky, 63, a native of Brantford, Ontario, started his pro career in earnest for the Edmonton Oilers in the '79-80 season after his 1978 debut for the Indianapolis Racers was cut short because the team folded.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2024
Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 18 Apr. 2024
But the task of saving the planet has begun in earnest as states both compete and cooperate in an energy transition on which humanity’s future depends.
—David Lammy, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2024
By 1877, farmers in Yorkshire—a region of northern England that was already a rhubarb-growing epicenter—had taken up the practice in earnest.
—Corey Buhay, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
The Sacramento Kings’ postseason dreams kick off in earnest Tuesday night, when De’Aaron Fox and Co. host the Golden State Warriors in a rematch of last year’s scintillating first-round playoff series.
—Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 14 Apr. 2024
But before that Job-like tale could begin in earnest, Patel had to get his feet wet.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2024
Officials have spent the past year getting ready in earnest, poring over white papers on how comparable cities have handled past eclipses, Mr. Kaler said.
—Sarah Maslin Nir, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2024
As the presidential campaign for the 2024 general election now begins in earnest, many Americans will begin to pay closer attention to President Joe Biden’s and former president Donald Trump’s plans for a second term.
—Roger Ream, National Review, 16 Mar. 2024
Gretzky, 63, a native of Brantford, Ontario, started his pro career in earnest for the Edmonton Oilers in the '79-80 season after his 1978 debut for the Indianapolis Racers was cut short because the team folded.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'in earnest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near in earnest
Cite this Entry
“In earnest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20earnest. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
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