even 1 of 3

even

2 of 3

adjective

1
as in exact
being neither more nor less than a certain amount, number, or extent the distance to town is an even mile

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
as in steady
not varying energy demands do not stay even throughout the day but peak significantly during the afternoon hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

even

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to smooth
to make free from breaks, curves, or bumps even the filling before adding the top layer of the cake

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to equate
to make equal in amount, degree, or status the contention that producing more arms will even us with the enemy and therefore make us more secure

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective even contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of even are flat, level, plane, and smooth. While all these words mean "having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities," 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 can flat be used instead of even?

The words flat and even are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

Where would level be a reasonable alternative to even?

In some situations, the words level and even are roughly equivalent. However, level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

When could plane be used to replace even?

While in some cases nearly identical to even, 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 is it sensible to use smooth instead of even?

Although the words smooth and even have much in common, 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 even
Adverb
There is no federal law and very limited state laws that even acknowledge young people's right to choose how they’re represented in adoption recruitment. Dana Perino, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025 The glass must be strong and the surface clean, as reflections below the glass have to be controlled, along with balanced lighting from underneath, and even the ceiling background is carefully planned. Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Despite its considerable bulk, the S680 was in its element, using its prodigious 664 ft lbs of torque to slingshot out of the curves, while rear-wheel steering, adaptive air suspension and all-wheel drive kept it on an even keel through the tightest Alpine curves. Howard Walker, Robb Report, 3 Nov. 2025 But it was eclipsed by the even-year elections before and after. Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto tossed the first complete World Series game in a decade as the Dodgers evened up the best-of-seven series with a 5-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 26 Oct. 2025 The night will be remembered for Scherzer turning back the clock at 41, pitching 5 2/3 innings in the Jays’ 8-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners that evened the series at two games apiece. Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for even
Recent Examples of Synonyms for even
Adverb
  • Teams that may have some postseason games to play are certainly showing themselves as playoff scenarios take shape in KC-area and regional college football.
    The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Even on Saturday, in a game that was almost certainly his best, Michkov was on the ice for just 14 minutes and 10 seconds.
    Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Adverb
  • This new chink in the armor of dark energy resulted from Lee and colleagues from Yonsei University discovering that Type Ia supernova may not be quite so standard after all.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Which for a big break was quite old, really.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • While the exact details of the deal are unknown, it was reported that Sony made an initial $25 million profit from producing the film for Netflix.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2025
  • The exact placement of that narrow band will determine who could see a few inches and who might see more than a foot.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The Unistellar eQuinox 2 looks identical to its predecessor, the eQuinox, but has a higher-resolution image sensor, which gives greater detail of the night sky.
    Paul Brett, Space.com, 10 Nov. 2025
  • During inquiries, the ICO found 178 active email accounts using passwords identical or similar to those set by the organization’s IT desk when the account was activated.
    Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Over the past half century, one of the fundamentals of American life has been the steady relocation of people—and of the country’s center of gravity—to the Sun Belt.
    Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The technology could one day provide steady, long-lasting power for faster and more flexible deep-space missions, including Mars travel.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Its style was in many ways a refinement of the final run of Diablos, smoothing and polishing the old car’s edges while adding strength and modernity to the design.
    Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Gradually shifting bedtime and wake-up time by 10 to 15 minutes over several nights can help smooth the transition and get everyone back on schedule.
    Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • This equates about one in 10 jobs.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Challenger equated the impact of AI on the current labor market to the rise of the internet in the early aughts.
    Steve Kopack, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
Adverb
  • The skeletal remains did indeed belong to Béla, Duke of Macsó, the great-grandson of King Béla III.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2025
  • In a study published last month in Schizophrenia Bulletin, researchers demonstrated that inner speech indeed suppressed the brain’s auditory cortex in adults without schizophrenia.
    Hannah Seo, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Even.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/even. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

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