1
as in slightness
the state or quality of having little weight
the first thing I noticed about the little bird was its lightness; I could hardly tell I was holding it in my hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cheerfulness
a lack of seriousness often at an improper time
the inappropriate lightness of the anchorman's tone while he was reading the story of the freak accident in which people had died
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in brightness
the quality or state of having or giving off light
the photographer was concerned that the lightness of the background would cast the main subject into shadow
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lightness
Solvej Schou, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
The process is long and excruciating, said Oceguera, but they’re just left with the essence of pineapple and coconut that’s carbonated a little for lightness on your tongue.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
There is a lightness to be found around material that could normally be challenging.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
The uncluttered nape of the neck adds a sense of freshness and lightness.
—Adèle Bari, Vanity Fair, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightness
Noun
The structure brings visitors below ground, from lightness to darkness, with sounds slowly dissipating.
—Solvej Schou, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
The process is long and excruciating, said Oceguera, but they’re just left with the essence of pineapple and coconut that’s carbonated a little for lightness on your tongue.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
There is a lightness to be found around material that could normally be challenging.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
The uncluttered nape of the neck adds a sense of freshness and lightness.
—Adèle Bari, Vanity Fair, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightness
Noun
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This kind of optimism and cheerfulness can make leaders more empathetic and pleasant to work with, partly because psychology research finds that positive moods increase helping, generosity and interpersonal understanding.—
Aditya Simha,
The Conversation,
7 May 2026
-
Half critic, half concierge, Edwards’ round-ups are generally distinguished by a cheerfulness.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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If preparing the tzatziki ahead, wait to add the fresh mint and dill until just before serving to preserve their brightness.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
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Delivering 550 nits of brightness and full 4K resolution at 60Hz, the espresso Pro is capable of displaying more than a billion colors.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
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Full Virgin Galactic missions have lasted more than an hour, during which passengers on Unity have been treated to views of Earth and the thin blue line of our planet's atmosphere while experiencing a few minutes of weightlessness.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
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There are lots of things weightlessness disturbs, even in the short run.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There’s an element of sadistic, John Simonesque glee to his attacks on the personal appearances of actors.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
Managers attacking journalists usually ends one way, and, predictably, Bild spent the rest of the weekend reporting with glee on Frankfurt’s defeat and poor form.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
3 May 2026
Noun
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So, astronomers have come up with a compromise regarding the geometry of the sun's illumination angle on Venus' disk versus its distance from Earth to determine the time of Venus' greatest brilliancy.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Family circles will have wrapped themselves in the holy pleasures of the great occasion, and everywhere the grand old holiday will have been introduced with all the majesty and brilliancy which clings around the hallowed name of Christmas.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American-Statesman,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Despite the levity, the sheriff’s office really did get some calls from concerned residents, Zuchowski says.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
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The renowned comedian also provided plenty of levity on set.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
7 May 2026
Noun
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Caused by sunlight-scattering dust in the Martian atmosphere, that unexpected brilliance seems to be planet-wide—save for a region near the world’s north pole.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
14 May 2026
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Also, the brilliance of Tolstoy and Chekhov and Dostoevsky, these geniuses that have gone down in history.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Noun
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Commentors, of course, had a mixed bag of reactions, ranging from arguing that Kelce is the Duchess of Delco to criticizing the governor's silliness.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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Yet there’s wisdom amid the silliness, as the story gently makes a case for the necessity of grief, mindfulness and mortal awareness, even in a life otherwise unburdened by adult human responsibility.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lightness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightness. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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