even 1 of 3

adverb

Definition of evennext
1
as in certainly
not merely this but also the blue whale is a huge, even awesome animal by any measure

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in quite
to a full extent or degree I will love you even to the end of time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

even

2 of 3

adjective

ˈē-vən How to pronounce even (audio)
1
as in exact
being neither more nor less than a certain amount, number, or extent the distance to town is an even mile

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in plane
having a surface without bends, breaks, or irregularities let's find an even stretch of ground to pitch our tent

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in identical
resembling another in every respect the armies of the two countries are fairly even

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in steady
not varying energy demands do not stay even throughout the day but peak significantly during the afternoon hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

even

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to smooth
to make free from breaks, curves, or bumps even the filling before adding the top layer of the cake

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to equate
to make equal in amount, degree, or status the contention that producing more arms will even us with the enemy and therefore make us more secure

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective even contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of even are flat, level, plane, and smooth. While all these words mean "having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities," even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight.

trim the hedge so it is even

When can flat be used instead of even?

The words flat and even are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

Where would level be a reasonable alternative to even?

In some situations, the words level and even are roughly equivalent. However, level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

When could plane be used to replace even?

While in some cases nearly identical to even, plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface.

the plane sides of a crystal

When is it sensible to use smooth instead of even?

Although the words smooth and even have much in common, smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.

a smooth skating rink

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 even
Adverb
Board game lovers will soon be able to nerd out at a new store and may even get the chance to play a few rounds inside a former bank vault. — Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026 On Wowed Out, James sounds unburdened even when singing about the weight of the modern world. — Ryan Leas, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2026
Adjective
The Fever’s starting lineup announcements were met by an even mix of boos and cheers. — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Mullins takes the news that Joe’s still missing seemingly in stride, but Byron has to remind him that the Russians might want something more than an even trade for Yurimov. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2026
Verb
The Brooklynites evened the playoff ledger in the 2024 semifinals. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 30 June 2026 While beloved for their loose powders (which Bieber uses), Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturizer is equally as impressive for its lightweight, buildable coverage that evens and blurs skin without contributing to sweat and oil in warm weather. — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for even
Recent Examples of Synonyms for even
  1. certainly
  2. quite
  3. exact
  4. level
  5. identical
  6. steady
  7. smooth
  8. equate
Adverb
  • Five to six years ago, certainly, people were not thinking about agentic AI systems that can plan and complete multi-step tasks with little to no human intervention.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Olsen certainly hurt those around him, too, growing up, especially as his addiction spiraled and his platonic, romantic and familial relationships fell apart.
    — David Oliver, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of certainly
Adverb
  • If your lawn grass was already quite thin, topdressing with a thin layer of quality topsoil is recommended.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
  • As a shocking chart by the Wall Street Journal illustrates, the amount of capital spent on non-data center construction in the US has quite literally fallen off a cliff, while the capital deployed to build data centers soars into the stratosphere.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of quite
Adjective
  • The department has said about 20 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor for actions at Wounded Knee, though the exact number is unclear due to incomplete or unclear records.
    — Meghan O'Brien, States Newsroom, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The piece gets into such details as what Vrabel and one of his assistants had for dinner the night before the game and that the two discussed the exact game scenario that led to the decision to go for two.
    — Mike Semel, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of exact
Adjective
  • The Daily Garage is a multi-level garage with more than 8,000 spaces.
    — Renee Anderson, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • This multi-level tale of the battle against oblivion made for one of the Previews’ highlights.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of level
Adjective
  • Modeling two different chamber sizes To understand how the hardware might scale up, engineers modeled two different chamber sizes under identical test conditions.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The deal is almost identical to an earlier version that circulated in Sacramento last week.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of identical
Adjective
  • American gasoline prices have risen about 38 percent over the course of the war, but the country’s economic growth rate remains steady.
    — JAMES F. JEFFREY, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026
  • In recent years, Steinem had expanded her community in New York, hosting a steady stream of gatherings of women in her living room.
    — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of steady
Verb
  • Its stretchy, wireless design has extra coverage and smoothing side panels that create a cleaner silhouette without squeezing.
    — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The formula includes lactic acid, a chemical exfoliator that breaks down dead skin, for a double dose of skin-smoothing power.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of smooth
Verb
  • The study’s authors are careful to frame Qurayyah Painted Ware as an example of ancient brand-making, rather than directly equating it with a modern multinational brand.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Others on Wall Street, however, see higher levels of risk, equating Meta's case to Big Tobacco in the 1990s when tobacco companies had to pay billions for misleading the public about the safety and potential harms of their products.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of equate

Phrases Containing even

Browse Nearby Words

eve
even
evened
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Cite this Entry

“Even.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/even. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on even

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about even

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