in earnest
With genuine intent
In earnest describes serious, sincere intent—the opposite of joking or halfhearted effort.
Once the funding came through, work began in earnest.
Someone speaking in earnest means what they say: I thought she was kidding, but she was in earnest.
The phrase often marks a transition from preliminary to full commitment.
Loyally and lovingly attached
- dedicatedWholly committed to something
- steadfastFirmly loyal, unshakeable
- resoluteFixed in purpose
- unwaveringSteady and unchanging
determined · diligent · assiduous · persevering · tenacious · industrious · conscientious · staunch
Intensely and sincerely felt
- passionateIntensely emotional or enthusiastic
- ardentIntensely enthusiastic or devoted
- zealousPassionately eager and active
- vehementIntensely forceful in feeling
fiery · impassioned · vigorous · forceful · spirited · animated · enthusiastic · wholehearted
Truly what it claims
- heartfeltDeeply and sincerely meant
- honestFree from deception
- truthfulAccurate and sincere
- candidHonest and direct
unfeigned · authentic · forthright · transparent · frank · real · unpretentious · trustworthy
Serious and worrying
- solemnSerious and dignified
- sternStrict or ship's aft
- somberGravely serious in mood
- unsmilingNot showing amusement
no-nonsense · sober · deliberate · thoughtful · purposeful · weighty · meaningful · significant
devoted
Loyally and lovingly attached
unwavering · determined · diligent · assiduous · persevering · tenacious · industrious · conscientious · staunch · loyal
fervent
Intensely and sincerely felt
- passionateIntensely emotional or enthusiastic
- ardentIntensely enthusiastic or devoted
- zealousPassionately eager and active
vehement · fiery · impassioned · vigorous · forceful · spirited · animated · enthusiastic · wholehearted · concentrated
genuine
Truly what it claims
candid · unfeigned · authentic · forthright · transparent · frank · real · unpretentious · trustworthy · bona fide
grave
Serious and worrying
unsmiling · no-nonsense · sober · deliberate · thoughtful · purposeful · weighty · meaningful · significant · consequential
- Candor Phrasesto be honest, truth be told, honestly, frankly, to tell the truth
- serious expressionsno joke, dead serious, I mean it, seriously, no laughing matter
in earnesthalfheartedly
Without real interest
half-heartedly · casually · frivolously · flippantly · perfunctorily
in earnestjokingly
In a humorous manner
in jest · insincerely · facetiously · tongue in cheek · sarcastically
in earnesthalfheartedly
Without real interest
lazily · feebly · weakly · tentatively · hesitantly