in earnest

1. With purposeful or sincere intent, as in We settled down to study in earnest . [c. a.d. 1000]

2. 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]

Example Sentences

The NBA’s quest to “create an All-Star experience that we can be proud of and our players can be proud of” continues in earnest and with a new partner.

From Los Angeles Times

While the operation to capture Gaza City has yet to begin in earnest, Israeli attacks on the city - where nearly a million people live - have been ongoing.

From BBC

Two years later, as his campaign for the 2024 GOP nomination was revving up in earnest, the New York Times reported:

From Salon

I started my search in earnest, unbounded by faith, within a small radius that grew bigger along the way.

From Los Angeles Times

Martin has only been in charge since June and the season only began in earnest a month ago, but the new manager is already under serious pressure.

From BBC

Related Words

• actively 
• earnestly 
• passionately 
• sincerely 
• vigorously