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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lightness
Lidia Maseres, Glamour, 3 June 2026
There are tons of spa treatments, all on the affordable side, ranging from an abdominal relaxation ritual for digestive lightness to cranial drainage for migraine relief.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
Cotton adds lightness and softness to the mix, while semi-synthetic rayon gives the material an effortless drape.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2026
Smoky bacon, crispy potatoes, and a luscious cheesy broth made with two kinds of cheddar plus heavy cream and beer for lightness and tang yield the ideal wintertime dinner.
—Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightness
Noun
Seashell earrings add a lightness to a look while still making a statement.
—Lidia Maseres, Glamour, 3 June 2026
There are tons of spa treatments, all on the affordable side, ranging from an abdominal relaxation ritual for digestive lightness to cranial drainage for migraine relief.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
Cotton adds lightness and softness to the mix, while semi-synthetic rayon gives the material an effortless drape.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2026
Smoky bacon, crispy potatoes, and a luscious cheesy broth made with two kinds of cheddar plus heavy cream and beer for lightness and tang yield the ideal wintertime dinner.
—Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightness
Noun
-
The researchers placed the micro satellite on a magnetic levitation platform – essentially a MagLev track that mimics the weightlessness of space – and fired the thrusters remotely at varying voltage levels, watching the satellite spin like a slow-motion top.—
Omar Kardoudi
June 05,
New Atlas,
5 June 2026
-
Previous Virgin Galactic missions have lasted more than an hour from takeoff to touchdown, but passengers typically only have a few minutes to see Earth from space while experiencing a few minutes of weightlessness.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Wine-Coca conduces to mental activity and clearness, prevents fatigue and exhaustion, brings cheerfulness and sweet refreshing sleep.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
29 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Adjusting the phase of light can unintentionally change its brightness, potentially affecting security.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 June 2026
-
Add the lime juice just before serving to preserve brightness and prevent bitterness.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Ideas expressed in the piece The article argues that the glee over Tom Steyer’s loss in the California governor’s race reflects a broader, understandable anger at extreme wealth in an era of serf‑lord–level inequality, but contends that this anger is being misdirected at the wrong billionaire.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
-
As the base runners scampered home, tying the game, Chicago players and fans alike shrieked with glee.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
The result is an incredible repository of vexations, bafflements, witticisms, and brilliancies.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Barnes once imbued their relationship odysseys with enough levity to keep the party going.—
Ethan Beck,
Pitchfork,
9 June 2026
-
There's no shame in finding levity amidst darkness, but there is something unmistakably phony about it here.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
His unselfishness and understanding of how to fit his skill set around Nikola Jokic’s brilliance remain unmatched.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
8 June 2026
-
Sport, in a world of artificial intelligence and synthetics, is also very human, in all its brilliance and fallibility.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
On one hand, this is silliness; Swift barely even lived here.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
8 June 2026
-
Yet, away from the court, these two personify the best qualities of friendship and the silliness that comes with it.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lightness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightness. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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