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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Princess of Pop is paying tribute to another member of pop royalty — although Britney Spears thinks that Janet Jackson is actually on an even higher level among the gods. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2026 In 2022, Lake Mead's dropping level exposed Las Vegas' uppermost drinking water intake. — CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
And Hurricane Michael leveled homes and buildings near Panama City, Florida, in 2018. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 Some might not value the kinds of criticisms leveled by attorneys, while others are more interested in trying to discern a judge’s bias or political leanings. — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026
Adjective
That's because the micro-level contest-specific data is lagging behind the macro-level national data. — Nathan Gonzales Cq-Roll Call, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026 Because if clubs like Manchester City are allowed to play by their own set of rules, the level playing field will always be tilted in their favor. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 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
  • Maintaining command-and-control links matters when troops rely on aerial sensors to gather information beyond their immediate positions.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Also, the fact that planets in this arrangement slide along their orbit and swap positions means that their positions in that orbit change, which, in turn, changes the timing of the transits.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of position
Verb
  • The California Coastal Act just turned 50, balancing sensible development with conservation and public access.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Adding mozzarella and Parmesan creates a salty, extra cheesy base while tomato sauce balances the richness with some acidity.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of balance
Verb
  • All of this pillow talk smooths Kate’s path to selling Hal on her idea of extracting the bodies from the Russian sub.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Both products contain moisturizing ingredients like squalane and shea butter, plus vitamin E to smooth signs of aging.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of smooth
Verb
  • Russia's heavy bombardment of the power grid ahead of winter has been an annual feature of the war, aimed at wearing down Ukraine's appetite for the fight by denying civilians heat and running water.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Marshall has consistently voted against Senate War Powers Resolutions aimed at halting or restricting military operations in Iran.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of aim
Verb
  • The combination of Chance downing teams inside the 10-yard line combined with a suffocating defense could be a recipe for success for TCU in the final half of the season.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026
  • With night set to fall, many in the area were without power due to outages planned by Southern California Edison in hopes of preventing power lines downed by the winds from sparking fires.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of down
Verb
  • The building’s owner previously told The Star the building would not be demolished and that it could be redeveloped.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The 18-year-old female elephant got loose from her handler outside her enclosure, then went on the run, demolishing the door of a saloon on North Avenue, smashing in the window of another and walking through the fence around a vacant lot.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of demolish
Adjective
  • Even better, Molly is the exact right amount of Instagram accessible while still being kept at a classy remove.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The notices will include specific information about their 2027 benefits, including exact payment dates and dollar amounts as well as any deductions.
    — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of exact
Adjective
  • Clear skies and calm winds will help temperatures drop into the mid- to upper 30s by early Saturday, forecasters said.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Methanol masers have previously been detected in planet-forming disks around turbulent high-mass protostars, but COMPASS’ observations are the first detection of them around calmer lower-mass protostars.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of calm

Phrases Containing level

Browse Nearby Words

levees
level
leveled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Level.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/level. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on level

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about level

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of jilt

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All