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
If those progress in earnest, world leaders should encourage Jolani to continue along the same path.
—
Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
This seems like something to be taken seriously, and perhaps Palantir is planning in earnest.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025
In the meantime, the search for this black hole is set to begin in earnest.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 11 Feb. 2025
While the Philadelphia Eagles put a bow on Super Bowl LIX celebrations today, the NFL offseason has begun in earnest.
—Dan Pompei, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in earnest
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Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
This seems like something to be taken seriously, and perhaps Palantir is planning in earnest.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025
In the meantime, the search for this black hole is set to begin in earnest.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 11 Feb. 2025
While the Philadelphia Eagles put a bow on Super Bowl LIX celebrations today, the NFL offseason has begun in earnest.
—Dan Pompei, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 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 10 Mar. 2025.
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