in sober earnest
1sober — 1 Sober, temperate, continent, unimpassioned can mean having or manifesting self control or the mastery of one s emotions, passions, or appetites. Sober basically describes moderation in the use of food and drink and often specifically implies… …
2earnest — ear·nest / ər nəst/ n [Anglo French ernes(t) erles, alteration of Old French erres, plural of erre pledge, earnest, alteration of Latin arra, short for arrabo, from Greek arrhabōn, of Semitic origin]: something of value given by a buyer to a… …
3sober — [adj1] not partaking of alcohol abstaining, abstemious, abstinent, ascetic, calm, clear headed, cold sober*, continent, controlled, dry, moderate, nonindulgent, not drunk, on the wagon*, restrained, sedate, self possessed, serious, steady,… …
4sober — index deliberate, disconsolate, discriminating (judicious), earnest, grave (solemn), lucid, major …
5earnest — adj *serious, solemn, grave, somber, sober, sedate, staid Analogous words: zealous, enthusiastic, passionate (see corresponding nouns at PASSION): diligent, *busy, industrious, assiduous, sedulous: *sincere, wholehearted, whole souled Antonyms:… …
6earnest — [adj1] very enthusiastic ardent, busy, devoted, diligent, eager, fervent, fervid, heartfelt, impassioned, industrious, keen, passionate, perseverant, purposeful, sedulous, sincere, urgent, vehement, warm, wholehearted, zealous; concepts… …
7earnest — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) adj. intent, intense, serious, grave, solemn, sober, weighty, purposeful, determined; sincere; important; diligent; eager, impassioned, animated, cordial, zealous, fervent, ardent. See feeling,… …
8sober — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) adj. grave, quiet, sedate, staid, serious; abstemious; drab, plain, severe, unadorned; calm, moderate; thoughtful; subdued; inconspicuous; demure; earnest; solemn, somber. See moderation, inexcitability …
9earnest — Synonyms and related words: abandoned, acquitment, acquittal, acquittance, advertent, afire, agog, alert, all ears, all eyes, amortization, amortizement, ardent, assiduous, attention, attentive, aware, awe inspiring, bail, binder, bond, bound,… …
10earnest — adjective 1) he is dreadfully earnest Syn: serious, solemn, grave, sober, humorless, staid, intense; committed, dedicated, keen, diligent, zealous; thoughtful, cerebral, deep, profound Ant …
