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
-
Later works remix art-historical references more subtly but with like-minded abandon.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
Natasha Braier’s ingenuity as a cinematographer meets the needs of the film and experiments with joyful abandon.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
23 May 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
-
Building on its successful rollout in Brazil, Juspay is expanding Click to Pay globally to eliminate manual card entry, which minimizes checkout friction, reduces cart abandonment and boosts conversion rates.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
-
Leonard previously pleaded guilty to abandonment of a corpse for dumping the boy’s body in Bates County, Missouri, and was sentenced to four years, though the new case records have not been made available on the Kansas Judicial Branch public database.—
Ian Cummings,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
That principle has crumbled so far in the face of Wembanyama’s combination of incomprehensible on-court abilities, youthful enthusiasm and cosmopolitan-unto-eccentric savoir faire.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Sharon Ruff, 81, was attracted to Santos’ classes by the eclectic mix of music, and loves the instructor’s energy and enthusiasm.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 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
-
The overall warmth of the finished basement keeps pulling the family downstairs.—
Jody Garlock,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 June 2026
-
From the driver who picks you up at the airport, to the servers at the restaurants, and the tour guides—you are guaranteed a warmth and level of luxury and service that Four Seasons promises and delivers on.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
But the proud born-again evangelical is channeling the zeal of an old-fashioned tent revival, even if some of his rhetoric falls far outside the bounds of the Good Book.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Logically, based on a day-to-day common pattern, a person with high energy might merely be a sign of inspiration and zeal.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Blending Old World charm with modern hospitality, Pella offers an inviting escape steeped in culture, history and warm community spirit.—
Staff,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
Originally from Long Island, New York, and shaped by 20 years in southern Arizona, her work examines the intersection of wild landscapes, small-town culture, and the spirit of adventure.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lightheartedness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightheartedness. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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