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

Now, Karina and Carlin both felt, the work of understanding what had happened to their mother could begin in earnest. —Sarah Stillman, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025

Corporate news Aside from tariffs, corporate earnings will begin in earnest. —Medora Lee, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025

And Araghchi said Trump’s threats of military action need to be taken off the table for any talks to begin in earnest. —Laura Kelly, The Hill, 10 Apr. 2025

Though Canada’s election began in earnest only late last month, public opinion polls have captured a gripping political narrative that has been unfolding since the start of the year. —Kaleigh Rogers, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025

Rhymes for in earnest

• internist
• sternest