View synonyms for

in earnest

Also, in dead earnest . Serious, determined, as in We thought he was joking, but he was in earnest , or I'm in dead earnest about selling the business . In the variant, from the late 1800s, dead means “completely” or “thoroughly” and is used purely for emphasis. [c. a.d. 1000]
With purposeful or sincere intent, as in We settled down to study in earnest . [c. a.d. 1000]

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Vietnam’s manufacturing industry began expanding in earnest in the 2000s, as the country’s low-cost, educated working class grew and the government prioritized producing goods for export.

From

As negotiations between the government and British Steel continue in earnest, a community digs in.

From

In an opinion piece published by the Washington Post on Tuesday, Iran's foreign minister declared that it was "ready to engage in earnest and with a view to seal a deal".

From

I started the process in earnest sometime around 29, taking long moments of staring at my open closet like they do in the movies.

From

With many schools breaking up for the Easter holidays on Friday the planning of how to occupy the kids has begun in earnest.

From

-ine inearth

Browse