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
Two of the defending champions — Marist and Jefferson — will go head-to-head in Class 5A this year after Jefferson moved up one level during the GHSA’s most recent reclassification. — Chip Saye, AJC.com, 30 July 2026 Heat at this level will affect anyone without access to cooling and hydration, the National Weather Service warns. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Verb
Before permanent lunar bases become possible, someone has to level the ground. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026 Romo complied with the officer’s commands and exited the car before being patted down and detained and taken to level ground for the field sobriety test. — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 July 2026
Adjective
Sotomayor’s argument is also based on the idea that everyone deserves to compete on a level playing field. — M. Gessen, Mercury News, 14 July 2026 Has the market just become a more level playing field thanks to the deconsolidation? — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 5 July 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
  • The Braves have secured consecutive home wins and maintained their strong position atop the National League East as the trade deadline approaches Monday.
    — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • While their ranks were restored, they were not put directly back in their previous positions in the Criminal Investigations Division.
    — Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of position
Verb
  • If tablet and laptop are to draw closer, balancing the two approaches in a single app could be the worst of both worlds.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • In mid-July, the president’s son and influential adviser, Youssef Pezeshkian, posted a series of messages about the need to balance realistic military aims with a weak economy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of balance
Verb
  • Livermore residents have had a rocky relationship with the sidewalks around town for years, and now city leaders are hoping a new project will smooth things over.
    — Katie Nielsen, CBS News, 30 July 2026
  • Higher ed leaders are looking for more places to smooth the path—or find new ways that work better for students.
    — Jamie Merisotis, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of smooth
Verb
  • In mid-July, the president’s son and influential adviser, Youssef Pezeshkian, posted a series of messages about the need to balance realistic military aims with a weak economy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The school is in the due diligence period and aims to close on the property soon ahead of renovation work to turn office space back into classrooms for the 2027-28 school year.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of aim
Verb
  • In the National Women's Soccer League's other matches, Gotham FC downed the Houston Dash 1-0; Racing Louisville beat the Chicago Stars 2-1; and Angel City played to a 1-1 draw with the Kansas City Current.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Ukraine hit back, officials in Russia say Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry said air defenses downed 258 Ukrainian drones overnight.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Definition of down
Verb
  • Fifty years ago, in 1966, the baseball landmark was demolished to make way for a shopping mall.
    — Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Plans show an existing building on the site would be demolished and replaced.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of demolish
Adjective
  • The highway span was the exact ground covered last year by Sunshine Perez, who had made two trips to liquor stores to buy Patron tequila before driving the wrong way onto a Turnpike exit ramp.
    — Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • As of Wednesday, July 29, a spokesperson for the streaming service didn’t have an exact release date to share with The News & Observer via email.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
Definition of exact
Adjective
  • Strikes in the region have been relatively calmer over the past few days, although Kuwait said Iran hit a building belonging to a Chinese company in the northern part of the country on Thursday, killing one employee.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The patented, portable Ready Rocker is ergonomically designed to help alleviate discomfort, relieve back pain, reduce stress, calm anxiety and improve sleep, fitting both deep and shallow seating with two rocking positions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 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 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on level

Nglish: Translation of level for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about level

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