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
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
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
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The gains were most pronounced among low-income students, the population that critics argue school choice abandons.—
Tommy Schultz,
Boston Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
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Loose, gestural ink drawings sit alongside still lifes of treasured objects, flea market finds are arranged like miniature stage sets, and candid snapshots of her Milan existence are collaged with painterly abandon.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The slightly distressed finish of brown sneakers adds naturalness and ease that pairs harmoniously with the low profile of baggy jeans.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
8 Mar. 2026
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In 1995, Taschen published his first book, which made a stir with portraits of soft, indirect illumination, emphasizing naturalness.—
Steve Appleford,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The approaching Easter holiday often means an increase in the purchase and gifting of live rabbits, and a resulting spike in abandonments.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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In spite of a seismic crossing of the technological Rubicon, an abandonment of the centuries-old deference to the naked eye, a codifying and calcifying of the most atomic-level building block of the sport, baseball mostly just looked like baseball.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In his teaching, Weil conveyed his love for Russian literature’s very lengthy — and at times dark and depressing — novels with enthusiasm and aplomb, colleagues recalled.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Clinton did not elicit the same enthusiasm, nor the same level of support, that powered Obama to victory twice.—
David M. Drucker,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Amid all those preoccupations for his physical performance, Ortiz also had to deliver his lines and be present in the moment, reacting to Gosling with spontaneity.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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Just a day later, Venus enters the curious and flirtatious sign of Gemini, followed by change-maker Uranus on April 25, adding a layer of excitement and spontaneity.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Others were forced to choose between food, medicine and warmth, with some turning their thermostats down to 60 degrees and bundling up or coming out of retirement to take part-time jobs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Your disciplined streak works best with warmth at the moment, so add kindness to every firm decision, and people should be more inclined to accept your guidance.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The difference between the energy of the machine that resolutely crosses the cordillera and the tiny zeal in the wings of an insect that asks only for leaves to eat and mud in which to house her eggs.—
María Ospina,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
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What is clear is that Florida, amid its leaders’ zeal to lead the nation in immigration enforcement, is throwing a lot of state taxpayer money at what was long considered a federal issue.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Ancient Mayans later believed cenotes were sacred portals to the underworld, where gods and spirits dwelled.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Apr. 2026
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By the 1980s, the mob had slowed, but some say the spirit of the mafia never left Gaetano's basement.—
Kennedy Cook,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lightheartedness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightheartedness. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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