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
-
The actor leans into the character’s biting theatricality with gleeful abandon.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
-
From that point in the novel to its wrenching end, June searches for her baby with the passionate abandon of a first-time mother and the aching hunger of every mother separated from her child.—
Meredith Maran,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That ease and naturalness are paramount to Copeland.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
9 Apr. 2026
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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
Noun
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After a rash of abandonments led to infant deaths in the late 1990s, Texas became the first in the nation to pass a state law legalizing abandonment.—
Kelsy Mittauer,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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The legislation would also open up $100,000 in grant funding to cover the cost of operation and maintenance of a water system if that town is in the midst of applying for abandonment.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Great cast members display an infectious enthusiasm that inspires visitors to want to get into their load row and onto that boat and sit down as swiftly as possible.—
Robert Niles,
Oc Register,
14 Apr. 2026
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Thus began a series of responses that suggested perhaps his enthusiasm is in jest — or maybe not?—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Trips may require more planning and a little less spontaneity, but the savings leave more room for my souvenir budget.—
Jacqueline Dole,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
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The social media content that comes out of the sprawling music festival screams spontaneity, but industrious planning is often buzzing behind the scenes weeks, or sometimes even months, in advance.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Weekend weather starts sunny and turns showery Unseasonable warmth by April standards continues Friday into Saturday.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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This year’s winner, Deaf, does exactly that – with courage, warmth, and rare authenticity.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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Yet his single-minded zeal is inseparable from his intolerance.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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On the water, the 55-year-old mother seems to come alive, her adventurous spirit radiating outward, lighting her from the inside out.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2026
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Shouldn’t in-season improvement be well within the spirit of the Most Improved Player award?—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lightheartedness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightheartedness. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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