levity

noun

ˈle-və-tē How to pronounce levity (audio)
Definition of levitynext
as in lightness
a lack of seriousness often at an improper time the teachers disapprove of any displays of levity during school assemblies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of levity Yet the filmmakers infuse it with levity, showing his love and affinity for animals, as well ashis musical talents. — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026 At first, her escapades to slow down reporting Alice’s monumental find provide a good deal of levity. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026 One-on-one conversations require skills such as managing topics, asking thoughtful questions, celebrating moments of levity, responding constructively to disagreement, and striking a balance between self-disclosure and supportive listening. — Alison Wood Brooks, Harvard Business Review, 17 Aug. 2026 The actress was, however, able to find levity in filming such a dark moment. — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for levity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for levity
  1. lightness
  2. cheerfulness
  3. glee
  4. silliness
  5. frivolity
  6. flippancy
Noun
  • Perhaps what’s most remarkable about Orbitals is its sense of lightness.
    — George Yang, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Its native structure, the twenty-two-episode season, has become a rarity in the industry, as has its default lightness.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of lightness
Noun
  • The service Professionalism comes with genuine warmth, cheerfulness, and a sense of people absolutely loving their jobs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Kikuko sometimes mistook Shigejiro’s cheerfulness for egoism owing to the distortions produced by her illness.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheerfulness
Noun
  • The next day, JT showed a snippet of his viral cameo that had everyone and their mother throwing up their phones in glee.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Other, less cartoonish responses have lingered on Cambridge’s comparable glee in brandishing Arday in the first place.
    — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of glee
Noun
  • Who Framed Roger Rabbit, which was directed by Robert Zemeckis with animation overseen by Richard Williams, takes every aspect of itself, even the zany silliness of cartoons, completely seriously, while never losing sight of the fun.
    — James Grebey, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Despite the silliness, the episode does feature some very emotional moments for Spock.
    — Joe Otterson, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of silliness
Noun
  • There is much fun and frivolity at the Witch and Culture Festival, but the event also acknowledges some distressing real-life history that goes along with being (or being suspected of being) a witch in Connecticut.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Photographer Phil Oh captures the drama and frivolity in Paris as designers present their latest couture collections.
    — Phil Oh, Vogue, 7 July 2026
Definition of frivolity
Noun
  • Or how being late or canceling at the last minute is treated with less flippancy than in America.
    — Catherine Heald, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2026
  • Spaar’s colloquial flippancies only reinforces her fervency.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
Definition of flippancy

Browse Nearby Words

levitations
levity
levy
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Cite this Entry

“Levity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/levity. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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