level 1 of 3

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

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
5

level

3 of 3

adjective

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
Contrary to expectations, many survivors’ cortisol levels were lower. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2025 The two-story, 7,000-square-foot space also includes two other Ptacek projects on the lower level. David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
Set on a bluff above the Pacific Ocean, this was one of relatively few houses still standing in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, which had otherwise been leveled by one of the most destructive urban wildfires in United States history. Robert Petkoff Krish Seenivasan Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 The Griffin Sisters also examines the unrealistic beauty standards leveled against women in entertainment. Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
If the players are level after 14 classical games, a tie-break will be played on December 13. Eduardo Tansley, The Athletic, 23 Nov. 2024 Standout benefits: Applicants in good health can skip the medical exam for a level term life insurance policy with Amica. Liz Knueven, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for level
Recent Examples of Synonyms for level
Noun
  • Faced with a nearly $1-billion shortfall, Bass has been weighing whether to lay off more than 1,500 city workers — or almost 5% of the workforce — while also eliminating some vacant positions.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The letter comes more than a year before three of those five officials will seek to defend their positions in the 2026 election.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Sour Views Of The Big Picture That rosy perspective of a decidedly successful EU AI Continent being achieved must be balanced against the potential downsides and risks involved.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Getting Mitchell off the ball more also balanced the offense and eased the load on Mitchell’s balky knees … and worked so well that the Cavs led the league in offensive efficiency.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Each pad is infused with 10% glycolic acid for gentle exfoliation, tranexamic acid to target dark spots, and niacinamide to smooth and even tone.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Apr. 2025
  • His biggest impression was how balanced and smooth the bat felt through the strike zone.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Culture community aimed at creating equitable business pathways for Black and Brown professionals.
    Brianne Garrett, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, theoretically aimed at matching the fees other countries charge for U.S. shipments to their countries, included a minimum 10% fee and additional charges of up to 50% on more than 50 nations.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Please send your reports of hail and/or wind damage, including trees or large limbs downed, by calling the National Weather Service office in Newport at 1-800-889-6889.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2025
  • McGhie hit 20 3s in the first round, 21 in the semifinals and 20 in the championship round to defeat Missouri’s Caleb Gill, who downed 15 3s in the title round.
    Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Purdy put his reporter’s hat back on and dug up that the 38 S. Fifth St. house — which would have sat in the plaza just south of the city council chambers — was demolished after an arson fire damaged it beyond repair.
    Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
  • In Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, residents said the Israeli military demolished more homes in the city, which has all come under Israeli control in the past days in what Israeli leaders said was an expansion of security zones in Gaza to put more pressure on Hamas to release remaining hostages.
    Nidal al-Mughrabi, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Plus this episode also delivers peak unhinged Lex while he's stranded on an island post-plane crash and suffering from malaria, which leads to a moment that teases his natural killer instincts that he's kept so well hidden from Clark, and the world, so far.
    Christian Holub, EW.com, 16 Oct. 2021
  • But those cars were powered by pushrod engines with conventional cross-plane cranks.
    Rich Ceppos, Car and Driver, 2 Oct. 2022
Adjective
  • Clouds will hang around most of the evening, and the low will be around 57 along with calm overnight winds.
    Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 18 Apr. 2025
  • In fact, even Messier 104's central supermassive black hole—which is more than 2,000 times larger than its counterpart in the Milky Way, Sagittarius A, at a staggering 9 billion solar masses—is quite calm.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Level.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/level. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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