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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of level

Noun

There’s a level of relief, but there’s grief alongside relief. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2026

This insert-style electric fireplace offers five brightness levels, three flame-color combinations and authentic crackling sound effects. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

Verb

Herzog's decision is a setback for Netanyahu, who has leveled allegations, so far without evidence, that some Arab countries interfered in the elections. — CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026

These soldiers formed ranks—in numbers not at all near four thousand—and with bulletless muskets levelled began to march up a service road through the park’s lawns and picnic tables. — Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

Adjective

The appeal of sports is their ostensibly level playing field; the intrigue is in the gritty texture that reality tends to reveal. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026

With multiple functions, the shafts drew fresh air down into the multi-level complexes, and also continued below the lowest floor, reaching groundwater and serving as deep wells. — Maya Chawla, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing level

• on the level