Charles Dickens
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Levity Was Once a Scientific Term
Levity originally was thought to be a physical force exactly like gravity but pulling in the opposite direction, like the helium in a balloon. As recently as the 19th century, scientists were still arguing about its existence. Today levity refers only to lightness in manner. To stern believers of some religious faiths, levity is often regarded as almost sinful. But the word, like its synonym frivolity, now has an old-fashioned ring to it and is usually used only half-seriously.
Synonyms
Examples of levity in a Sentence
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024
As a trio of savvy circus vets, Sara Gettelfinger, Stan Brown and Joe DePaul offer a welcome dose of levity to the at times interminable proceedings.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024
This project doesn’t seem to have brought Lopez any closer to serenity or levity.
—Wesley Morris, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024
Strong also addressed the public’s image of him as a super-serious Method actor who loves self-suffering and does not have an ounce of levity in his body.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024
Joy Randolph who managed to bring some levity and — appropriately — joy to a heartbreaking story.
—Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024
Pitt's performance is dramatic but is complemented by a disarming levity.
—Derek Scancarelli, EW.com, 18 Dec. 2023
But they were also marked by scenes of humanity and love and — in certain moments — unexpected levity.
—Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 15 Dec. 2023
The rooms and restaurants are spread out across three buildings, which date back to the mid-to-late 1800s; the interior decor, however, manages to highlight that history and simultaneously bring a bit of levity and freshness to the property.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'levity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near levity
Cite this Entry
“Levity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/levity. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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