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
-
Never lacking in commitment, Ware threw herself into the nightlife in a whirlwind of pearls, caftans, and hairpieces, soundtracking other people’s abandon while remaining exquisitely composed herself.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
20 Apr. 2026
-
My life cannot be lived spontaneously or entirely with abandon.—
Chloe Laws,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That ease and naturalness are paramount to Copeland.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
9 Apr. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
There’s misperceived betrayals, a surprise pregnancy, sudden abandonment, a sentimental reconciliation, a fatal illness and a tearful farewell.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
-
He is being sought for child abandonment and custodial interference, authorities said.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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On the heels of this enthusiasm, Manus, on March 5, 2025, released an AI tool that took the tech to the next level, from generating ideas to autonomously completing tasks.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Oliver, a New York Times bestselling author who previously worked with Henry Winkler on the Hank Zipzer series, was moved by Hawn's enthusiasm.—
Eric Andersson,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The quartet lived and died by its spontaneity.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Roadtripping offers a unique blend of spontaneity and flexibility that many other forms of travel simply do not have.—
Becca Stanek,
TheWeek,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Vij notes that wooden cabinets offer a sense of warmth and coziness, as well as nostalgia, but there’s a practicality, too.—
Ashley Chalmers,
The Spruce,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The staff's warmth transcends language anyway.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The men in the cast – Ben Jacoby and Brent Thiessen – are suitably smarmy in their stick-thin roles, with the supporting adult actresses – Sarah Bockel and Lael Van Keuren – playing the mothers with caricature zeal.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
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Her older brothers, 20-year-old twins, helped form her competitive zeal and desire to excel.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There was more spirit, resilience and fight against Roberto De Zerbi’s side than Wolves had displayed in the second half of the 4-0 defeat at West Ham and almost the entirety of the 3-0 reverse at Leeds United.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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The yarns of Joe Turner interweave gradually, everyday chit-chat, bargaining, and flirtation interlocking over time with threads of mysticism — both the ghosts of a brutal history and the ancestral spirits that stand protective and defiant like a phalanx of angels with shining swords.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lightheartedness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightheartedness. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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