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
Instead, both have a substantial amount of activity beginning in earnest less than 4 hours after DM made her way to BF’s room.
—
Taylor Romine, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
College basketball’s annual rite of spring — the NCAA men’s and women’s championship tournaments — begin in earnest this weekend.
—Jack Magruder, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
The Men's College basketball tournament will tip off in earnest today before the Women's tournament kicks into high gear tomorrow.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Last week it was announced that prior to the 10-episode Season 3 launching on Paramount+ sometime this year, production has actually already begun in earnest on Season 4 at studios in Toronto, Canada.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in earnest
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Taylor Romine, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
College basketball’s annual rite of spring — the NCAA men’s and women’s championship tournaments — begin in earnest this weekend.
—Jack Magruder, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
The Men's College basketball tournament will tip off in earnest today before the Women's tournament kicks into high gear tomorrow.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Last week it was announced that prior to the 10-episode Season 3 launching on Paramount+ sometime this year, production has actually already begun in earnest on Season 4 at studios in Toronto, Canada.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 18 Mar. 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 28 Mar. 2025.
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