as in abandon
carefree freedom from constraint
he approaches his medical duties with a lightheartedness that some patients find disturbing
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Recent Examples of lightheartedness
That lightheartedness quickly evolved into the NFL’s biggest off-field competition.
—
Karla Cote, Variety, 15 May 2026
In a film that nimbly walks the tightrope between lightheartedness and weightlessness, Jerry and Mabel’s antagonistic relationship ends up proving the unexpected core of the story.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 2 Mar. 2026
Hundreds of fans commented on social media, either expressing concern or responding with lightheartedness.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025
On the plus side, the young acting talent and a welcome lightheartedness will keep the eye-rolling to a minimum.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Using a similar method as the one scientists follow to determine the animals responsible for fossilized footprints — but with a dose of lightheartedness — Granatosky and his colleagues carried out the first scientific analysis of the imprint, published Tuesday in the journal Biology Letters.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
Quick-witted, effortlessly funny, DePaul brought a lightheartedness to the table during a particularly dark point in the story.
—Dana Reboe, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
Karla Cote, Variety, 15 May 2026
In a film that nimbly walks the tightrope between lightheartedness and weightlessness, Jerry and Mabel’s antagonistic relationship ends up proving the unexpected core of the story.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 2 Mar. 2026
Hundreds of fans commented on social media, either expressing concern or responding with lightheartedness.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025
On the plus side, the young acting talent and a welcome lightheartedness will keep the eye-rolling to a minimum.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Using a similar method as the one scientists follow to determine the animals responsible for fossilized footprints — but with a dose of lightheartedness — Granatosky and his colleagues carried out the first scientific analysis of the imprint, published Tuesday in the journal Biology Letters.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
Quick-witted, effortlessly funny, DePaul brought a lightheartedness to the table during a particularly dark point in the story.
—Dana Reboe, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightheartedness
Noun
-
The whole atmosphere was one of party and reckless abandon.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
-
Did the grocery store place the trash can near the corn because folks were shucking with wild abandon and leaving behind a big mess?—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
As a national icon, the Natural Bridge served as a quiet, Emersonian rebuke to Europe’s militaristic triumphal arches, reinforcing the naturalness of American democracy.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
That ease and naturalness are paramount to Copeland.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The org has spent more than a decade fighting against the abandonment of movie theatres in the city and their conversion into hotels, hospitality developments and shopping centers.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
-
The criteria include frantic efforts to avoid abandonment, having unstable relationships, identity disturbance, impulsive behavior, chronic feelings of emptiness, intense anger, emotional instability, paranoia or dissociation under stress, and recurrent suicidal behavior or self-harm.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
For much of her defining run, Lizzo was emblematic of an idyllic extramusical experiment, her songs a wellspring for yas queen enthusiasm.—
Sheldon Pearce,
NPR,
16 June 2026
-
The Tartan Army of 2026 has journeyed to America with similar enthusiasm, and unrealistic expectations have been loaded upon the shoulders of McTominay.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, the moon in Aries is moving through your fifth house of romance and creativity, adding passion and spontaneity to your day.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
-
There’s teasing, competition, strategy and spontaneity involved — all things that help break couples out of the autopilot feeling that long-term relationships can sometimes slip into.—
Mark Travers,
CNBC,
7 June 2026
Noun
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Everything that had made her herself — the warmth, the animals, the cousins who stayed behind — was suddenly gone.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
17 June 2026
-
The nurturing Moon enters your sign, lighting your 1st House of Identity, so your natural warmth and creativity feel easier to share without overthinking.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
In the months since his Administration rolled back long-standing sanctions, Venezuela’s ten-year sovereign bond has soared, and investors have flocked to Caracas with the zeal of bargain hunters at a flea market.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
17 June 2026
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While most would chalk Phil's zeal up to just being an old-school kind of guy, some fans postulate that the Shah of Iran is actually a closeted homosexual himself, and there are a few examples to back this up.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Noun
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The Moroccan American Council fosters cultural traditions and community spirit, and the South Florida chapter formed after Morocco opened a consulate in Miami two years ago, one of just two in the United States, along with New York City.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
14 June 2026
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The bad news for The Bold And The Beautiful and The Young & The Restless fans is that no talent from those series will cross over to Hollywood Starlet, but Bell said the vertical series will capture the spirit of those shows, in turn swerving some less savory elements in some microdrama.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lightheartedness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightheartedness. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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