LIGHTNESS Synonyms: 128 Similar and Opposite Words

lightness 1 of 2

noun (1)

Definition of lightness

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lightness

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈlīt-nəs

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of lightness

Noun

Hughes suggests a dusty pink or light beige to lift and soften the richness of the floor, while Alonso notes that cooler neutrals can offer a nice contrast, adding some lightness to the room. — Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2026 There’s spiritual tidying to do, too; the trio help their subjects find lightness and acceptance in the face of divorce, illness, aging, and even death. — Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026 The movement here is made from 274 components, with a focus on lightness, transparency, and volume. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 29 June 2026 Ease, fluidity and lightness in terms of proportion and material — silk, linen and cotton. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for lightness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightness

Noun

Researchers have documented that weightlessness affects many parts of the digestive system, from the mouth to the intestines.

— Sundeep Venkatesan, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
Le Teint Healthy Glow has the weightlessness of a powder paired with the skin perfecting qualities of a liquid.

— Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 29 July 2026

Definition of weightlessness

Noun

Kikuko sometimes mistook Shigejiro’s cheerfulness for egoism owing to the distortions produced by her illness.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Positive qualities—promptness, diligence, cheerfulness—sped up your ascent through the ranks; negative ones—laziness, dissipation, late mornings—slowed it down.

— Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026

Definition of cheerfulness

Noun

Between 2017 and 2023, Sickafoose's team probed Pluto's atmosphere during ten occultations of stars ranging in brightness from about magnitude 12 to magnitude 18, far below naked-eye visibility.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Saie’s Glowy Super Gel is a luminous, hydrating, primer-meets-base that truly gives the look of a post Euro-summer glow and brightness.

— Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of brightness

Noun

Republicans are rubbing their hands in glee at the neocommunist advance in their opposing party.

— Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
To the director’s glee, modern audiences may be more uncomfortable with Erika and Elliot’s lopsided power dynamic than the sight of sweet-faced Hoffman in a pig mask and panties.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of glee

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

Definition of brilliancy

Noun

Over time, the same system that profited from his brilliance proved indifferent to his vulnerability, and his life became reduced to a singular narrative of addiction and demise.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026
Kendrick and Rihanna’s vocals remain clear throughout, and the high-end brilliance adds sparkle to the cymbals, generating a more lifelike drum beat.

— Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of brilliance

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“Lightness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightness. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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