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
-
In that derelict playground, Lucy reminisces about her hippie youth, then spins in joyful abandon on a rusty carrousel.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
-
What started out as a lilting memoir of youthful abandon eventually reveals itself to be something far more disturbing and scarring.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 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
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That abandonment is even more damaging in a country like Cuba, which has run a global propaganda campaign based on its social achievements.—
Sarah Moreno
Updated April 29,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
-
News of the abandonments has prompted outrage on social media, with many calling for the person to be prosecuted when caught.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
29 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
-
For the cover of the May 11 & 18, 2026, special issue, themed around America’s 250th birthday, the cartoonist Barry Blitt portrays George Washington, the country’s first President, caught in the spirit of the moment.—
Françoise Mouly,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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Mayor Mamdani was elected with that spirit at the center of his agenda.—
Jonathan Timm,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lightheartedness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightheartedness. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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