as in laughingly
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Recent Examples of lightheartedly
The idea of replacing caddies with animals, lightheartedly suggested by moderator Eben Novy-Williams?
—
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Paltzik did not confirm the authenticity of the message but still suggested they were made lightheartedly.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 21 Oct. 2025
Shopkeepers lightheartedly gossip in rich drawling accents, and pickup trucks make up the majority of the vehicles idling at one of the few stoplights in town.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
Of course, Swift’s recent engagement to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was a hot topic, offering a look at what seems to be their playful relationship with one another with Swift lightheartedly poking fun at her now fiancé.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Paltzik did not confirm the authenticity of the message but still suggested they were made lightheartedly.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 21 Oct. 2025
Shopkeepers lightheartedly gossip in rich drawling accents, and pickup trucks make up the majority of the vehicles idling at one of the few stoplights in town.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
Of course, Swift’s recent engagement to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was a hot topic, offering a look at what seems to be their playful relationship with one another with Swift lightheartedly poking fun at her now fiancé.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightheartedly
Adverb
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Kipnis describes her own mother laughingly recalling a college professor chasing her around a desk and trying to kiss her.—
S. C. Cornell,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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The push for super intelligence sits rather blithely next to the beliefs of those tech masters of the universe trying to max out their looks and lifestyle for eternal life.—
David Bloom,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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However, rather than blithely dismiss the consequences of legalization with eye-rolling contempt for the puritans, supporters should confront the adverse societal effects of cannabis — the pervasive urban stench, the traffic deaths and the pernicious effects on youth.—
Cory Franklin,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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The comedians Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang breezily observed on a podcast last month that donating to Crockett is a waste of money.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
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In December, over a two-hour lunch at The Occidental, a Washington restaurant nestled between the White House and FBI headquarters, Wilkins spoke breezily about her life as the girlfriend of the FBI director.—
Aidan McLaughlin,
Vanity Fair,
22 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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Her writing process unfolded slowly but joyfully.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
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Cultures, Beliefs, Heritage Travel Photography Two Warkari men joyfully perform a traditional dance, or mock stick-play, in rural Bajirav Vihir, Maharashtra, India.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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Meanwhile Teyana Taylor was spotted graciously pouring drinks for some friends while joyously singing along to 1, 2 Step as Ciara belted out her chart topper.—
Paul Chi,
Vogue,
8 Feb. 2026
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But the action shifts to Paris, mainly just because Besson loves Paris, where citizens are joyously celebrating the centenary of the French Revolution.—
Jocelyn Noveck,
Boston Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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The concierge team will gladly organize everything from hiking to whale-watching tours and visits to local dairy farms.—
Gisela Williams,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
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Carey accompanied them, beaming, gladly relishing the homage.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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For his part, and most fittingly, Valentino creative director Michele will be planting the exuberantly luxe Valentino standard yet again in Paris, January 26-29, at Valentino’s beloved Haute Couture fashion week.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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No romance is in the offing between the two — Dan is straight and Tamma is exuberantly profane about being gay — so their bond is built almost entirely around climbing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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But Fallout giddily toys with the genre’s legacy, too, at times turning homages into punch lines.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
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The girls are giddily planning the wedding and bachelorette party as if several core issues are not still unresolved.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lightheartedly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightheartedly. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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