levels 1 of 2

noun

plural of level
as in ranks
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

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levels

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of level
1
as in balances
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 smooths
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 aims
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 downs
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 demolishes
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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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 levels
Noun
The corridor has the state’s highest congestion levels, seeing over 160,000 cars a day, according to NCDOT. — Dj Simmons august 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026 Plants and animals keenly sense the diminishing light, which acts as a master biological clock that triggers changes such as migration, shifting hormone levels and winter coat growth. — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 1 Aug. 2026 The models serve different performance levels, so a direct comparison has limits. — Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 In July, the combined water of Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the country's two biggest reservoirs, fell to their lowest levels since 1957. — Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026 While most manufacturers claim to use premium memory foam, keep in mind that there are different densities and levels of firmness ranging from extra soft to extra firm. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 31 July 2026 The state government uses it to buffer state finances when oil prices drop below levels that allow Alaska to generate surplus earnings. — Patrick J. Schena, The Conversation, 30 July 2026 That paper also suggested that low levels of phosphorus could trigger the invasive algae to bloom. — Hannah Smith july 25, Idaho Statesman, 25 July 2026 But the ethical waters are murky, and any such project should have high levels of public transparency and accountability, said Lisa Moses, a veterinarian and bioethicist at Harvard Medical School. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Verb
Tornado levels homes in Enid, Oklahoma Residents of Enid, Oklahoma, are surveying the damage on Friday after a massive tornado ripped through the city on Thursday night. — Jack Moore, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026 The main difference is that Ruisdael cranes upward, to behold a castle on a hill, whereas Vermeer levels his gaze across open water. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026 The San Jose club will offer players of all skill levels the flexibility to play on their schedule through a simple, all-inclusive monthly membership. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026 Temperature and rainfall determine how much pollen is released and how quickly levels spike. — Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 Russia has managed to recruit 30,000 men a month, levels that Ukraine, with only a quarter of Russia’s population, has struggled to match. — Olivier Kempf, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026 The lawsuit also levels a series of accusations against the city of Los Angeles and its Department of Water and Power. — City News Service, Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026 But a new documentary about the reality show levels some serious accusations against all those involved in the production. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026 Align with what actually levels you up, not what confirms bias, is rage bait or just gives a dopamine hit. — Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for levels
  1. ranks
  2. balances
  3. smooths
  4. aims
  5. downs
  6. demolishes
  7. positions
  8. equates
Noun
  • After spells at Le Havre, ASPTT Marseille and Nationals of Cavigal, RB Leipzig pounced last summer to sign him from the amateur ranks of French football.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Layoffs are expected to continue throughout the day, with the most significant cuts being made among the ranks of behind-the-scenes staffers.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of ranks
Verb
  • The lineup balances structure and softness through sculptural silhouettes and rich textures, offering a modern interpretation of the Proenza Schouler woman while honoring the brand DNA.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 30 July 2026
  • In this rustic kitchen, the visual weight of the two breadboards balances the strong visual presence of the white crock.
    — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 July 2026
Definition of balances
Verb
  • They’re made from stretchy, buttery-soft fabric that smooths the tummy area and moves with you.
    — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026
  • The jeans have a soft touch and are enhanced with the brand’s Sculpted Slimming Technology that smooths and lifts.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 22 July 2026
Definition of smooths
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 aims
Verb
  • Springtown takes edge in 7-4A race, downs Decatur Springtown got the inside track on the District 7-4A championship after beating Decatur 4-2 in 8 innings on Monday night at Decatur High School.
    — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Greene downs it, throws the kid his jersey, smiles, and all is right with the world.
    — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of downs
Verb
  • An $8,000 Ryvid Anthem or a $10,000 Maeving RM1S will deliver broadly similar urban usability, while the $12,500 Zero FXE absolutely demolishes it on power-per-dollar.
    — Utkarsh Sood June 12, New Atlas, 12 June 2026
  • The latest filing demolishes the timeworn claim that DOGE was infiltrated into Social Security in order to responsibly ferret out fraud and overspending.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Definition of demolishes
Noun
  • Pushing up, squeezing play and trying to regain the ball in advanced positions is a perfectly viable and often successful strategy, particularly when treated as a useful add-on to quality in possession.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Previously, exempt level positions were to be posted no fewer than 10 business days, which has now been removed from the policy.
    — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
Definition of positions
Verb
  • Being loved equates survival from the infant’s brain perspective.
    — Hylke Faber, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • In the realm of the theater, no one exactly equates the number of headshots on a Playbill page with the ultimate fulfillment a stage show provides.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 18 July 2026
Definition of equates

Browse Nearby Words

leveling
levels
lever
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Cite this Entry

“Levels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/levels. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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