Synonyms of level

level 1 of 3

noun

ˈle-vəl 

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

• position
• ranking
• rank
• echelon
• place
• degree
• status
• standing
• situation
• stratum
• footing
• station
• rung
• reach(es)
• condition
• function
• capacity
• rating
• walk
• order
• estate

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

• balance
• equate
• adjust
• equalize
• even
• compensate
• accommodate
• equilibrate
• standardize
• fit
• normalize
• counterbalance
• equipoise
• regularize
• democratize
• homogenize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disequilibrate

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

• smooth
• plane
• rake
• even
• shave
• trim
• flatten
• lay
• clip
• crop
• surface
• smoothen
• card
• pare
• comb
• spread
• prune
• press

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rough
• roughen
• wrinkle
• bend
• pit
• kink
• coarsen
• dent
• rumple

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

• aim
• direct
• cast
• set
• head
• train
• hold
• focus
• sight
• bend
• pinpoint
• steer
• face
• concentrate
• incline
• bear
• orient

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• curve
• avert
• deflect
• divert
• shunt
• detour
• sidetrack
• rechannel

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

• down
• drop
• floor
• fell
• hit
• mow (down)
• smack
• topple
• knock down
• prostrate
• knock over
• slam
• punch
• pound
• slap
• bowl (down or over)
• bang
• overthrow
• knock out
• thump
• poke
• throw down
• whack
• swipe
• belt
• jab
• slug
• hammer
• paste
• sock
• swat
• bash
• smite
• slog
• wallop
• KO
• bludgeon
• clobber
• whale
• kayo
• thwack

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

• demolish
• tear down
• pull down
• raze
• destroy
• total
• unbuild
• finish
• eradicate
• wipe out
• dynamite
• blow up
• overturn
• obliterate
• waste
• ruin
• abolish
• decimate
• wreck
• extirpate
• flatten
• annihilate
• smash
• dissolve
• scourge
• ravage
• pulverize
• dash
• devastate
• unmake
• devour
• crack up
• do in
• crush

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• build
• raise
• construct
• put up
• erect
• restore
• form
• rebuild
• create
• renew
• shape
• make
• manufacture
• renovate
• fashion
• forge
• fabricate

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

• plane
• smooth
• exact
• flat
• even
• horizontal
• true
• regular
• uniform
• vertical
• flush
• straight
• aligned
• plumb
• tabular

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uneven
• coarse
• rough
• lumpy
• bumpy
• warped
• irregular
• inexact
• undulating
• unsmoothed
• wavy
• undulatory
• unaligned
• pitted
• pocky
• pockmarked

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

• calm
• serene
• composed
• collected
• peaceful
• equal
• tranquil
• possessed
• placid
• steady
• at peace
• smooth
• undisturbed
• confident
• together
• unperturbed
• centered
• unruffled
• sedate
• limpid
• cool
• unshaken
• untroubled
• unworried
• recollected
• mellow
• relaxed
• relieved
• coolheaded
• nonchalant
• even
• unshakable
• detached
• well-balanced
• self-possessed
• self-composed
• unflappable
• imperturbable
• equable
• dispassionate
• carefree
• disciplined
• bovine
• aloof
• nerveless
• breezy
• even-keeled
• easygoing
• assured
• sober
• indifferent
• well-adjusted
• affable
• self-contained
• unconcerned
• phlegmatic
• laid-back
• impassive
• loosey-goosey
• stolid
• tranquilized
• self-controlled
• devil-may-care
• happy-go-lucky
• self-assured

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disturbed
• upset
• perturbed
• agitated
• anxious
• distressed
• bothered
• worried
• nervous
• uneasy
• unsettled
• unstrung
• unhinged
• tense
• restless
• flustered
• unquiet
• unstable
• jittery
• discomposed
• unglued
• jumpy
• skittish
• uptight
• high-strung

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

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

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

Recent Examples of level

Noun

From his Palm Beach and New York mansions and his luxurious apartment in Paris, Epstein enjoyed a remarkable level of access to sensitive information like the outcomes of political meetings and the itineraries of Gulf royals. —Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026

Spice levels are negotiated with shorthand, on a scale from one to five. —Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026

Verb

Paul’s filing contains some of the most detailed allegations of abuse she’s leveled against Mortensen so far. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2026

Fears spread online that the president was talking about leveling the country, perhaps with a nuclear weapon. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026

Adjective

In particular, scammers have targeted low- or mid-level artists with devout followings, or dormant artists whose return to music might spark particular interest. —Andrew R. Chow, Time, 27 Mar. 2026

At the multi-level Red Bull Mirage that overlooks the Quasar Stage, Nobu will offer a reservation-only omakase counter. —Senior Food Editor, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026

Phrases Containing level

• on the level