level 1 of 3

noun

ˈle-vəl How to pronounce level (audio)
Definition of levelnext
as in position
the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement a young karate student ready to rise to the next level in his chosen art of self-defense

Synonyms & Similar Words

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level

2 of 3

verb

1
as in to balance
to make equal in amount, degree, or status we'll give both teams the same equipment so as to level the playing field

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to smooth
to make free from breaks, curves, or bumps the construction workers leveled the ground before laying a foundation for the new house

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to aim
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal the marksman leveled his gun at the target and fired

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to down
to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall the boxer leveled his opponent with a single blow

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5
as in to demolish
to destroy (as a building) completely by knocking down or breaking to pieces an old warehouse that was leveled to build a parking lot

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

level

3 of 3

adjective

1
as in plane
having a surface without bends, breaks, or irregularities looked for a level place to land the plane

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in calm
free from emotional or mental agitation in a much more level mood now that the worst is over

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective level contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of level are even, flat, plane, and smooth. While all these words mean "having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities," level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

When is it sensible to use even instead of level?

In some situations, the words even and level are roughly equivalent. However, 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 might flat be a better fit than level?

The meanings of flat and level largely overlap; however, flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

When is plane a more appropriate choice than level?

The words plane and level are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 could smooth be used to replace level?

The synonyms smooth and level are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 level
Noun
The Earbuds 4 Pro add an in-ear PPG sensor like modern earbuds sold by Sennheiser, Bose, Apple, and others to measure real-time stress, fatigue, and recovery levels. — Thomas Ricker, The Verge, 3 Sep. 2026 The Buffaloes ditched chasing transfers who were former four- and five-star high school athletes from blue-blood programs who had yet to be consistent contributors at the college level. — Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
Fortunately, leveling a stove is often a simple fix that doesn’t require a repair technician. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2026 The bar was damaged in a fire in 1976, and leveled by an explosion a year later. — Jack Harvel august 17, Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Women have earned opportunities to compete on a level playing field against other women. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Designed by the Swiss practice Bayrou Architects, this 5,000-square-foot multi-level chalet sits on a sunny half-acre lot in the always spectacular Alps. — Catherine Dunwoody, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for level
Recent Examples of Synonyms for level
  1. position
  2. balance
  3. smooth
  4. aim
  5. down
  6. demolish
  7. exact
  8. calm
Noun
  • There isn’t room on a roster to list all the positions where North Chicago senior Amari Earl could play in a single game.
    — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The move puts Eli Lilly among Citadel’s largest individual stock positions and comes after the pharma giant’s shares suffered a sharp decline earlier this year before rebounding.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of position
Verb
  • Since fruit contains a lot of moisture, adding dry, shredded leaves on top helps balance moisture levels.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The company supplies the wiring, wire harnesses, power-balancing units, and delivery circuitry required to collect and route the electrical current.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of balance
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
  • Beijing aims to transform the region into a high-altitude green energy powerhouse, with projects that include a $168 billion megadam, currently under construction, that could stretch the limits of what human engineering has achieved.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • This shift aims to secure more predictable, recurring revenue and higher user retention, mitigating the volatility of hardware sales.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of aim
Verb
  • Lake Howell forced a Seminole punt, which was downed inside the two yard linej.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • There's a lot of seaweed and some downed trees thanks to Hurricane Maria, but the terrain is pretty navigable.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of down
Verb
  • Smashing the grid of the encyclopedic museum has meant that Govan literally had to demolish the institution’s former structures.
    — George Baker, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Now it will be demolished and replaced as part of a $250 million sports complex project.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of demolish
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
  • Mood stabilizers influence brain receptors that release and maintain neurotransmitters, calm overactive circuits and strengthen cellular connections over time.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • As a priest, Lamb held a calm, patient and somewhat self-deprecating sense of perspective.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of calm

Phrases Containing level

Browse Nearby Words

levees
level
leveled
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Cite this Entry

“Level.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/level. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on level

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about level

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