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
Bergdorf’s determines the holiday window concept by February and the designing begins in earnest by April, according to David Hoey, the luxury emporium’s senior director of visual presentation.
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David Moin, WWD, 20 Dec. 2024
The negotiations, which began in earnest in late September, have been turbulent.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2024
The worst of the winds were expected across Northern California on Wednesday, though forecasters said their primary concern remained the amount and duration of the rains that were also expected to begin in earnest Wednesday.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2024
The 8th Congressional District contest is the most expensive, at roughly $36 million, with the bulk — about $33 million — coming since Sept. 1 when the campaigns began in earnest.
—John Frank, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
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David Moin, WWD, 20 Dec. 2024
The negotiations, which began in earnest in late September, have been turbulent.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2024
The worst of the winds were expected across Northern California on Wednesday, though forecasters said their primary concern remained the amount and duration of the rains that were also expected to begin in earnest Wednesday.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2024
The 8th Congressional District contest is the most expensive, at roughly $36 million, with the bulk — about $33 million — coming since Sept. 1 when the campaigns began in earnest.
—John Frank, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for in earnest
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 4 Jan. 2025.
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