variants
or levelling
1
as in balancing
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in smoothing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in aiming
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
the marksman leveled his gun at the target and fired
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dropping
to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall
the boxer leveled his opponent with a single blow
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in demolishing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of leveling
The crew saw the helicopter and received a traffic alert, responding by leveling the aircraft before landing safely, the airline said.
—
Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
Rooke alluded to one major cross-industry initiative, Universal Ads, which launched last year at CES with the goal of leveling the media-tech playing field.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
Self-leveling laser for layout and alignment.
—Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 25 Mar. 2026
The connection between Banda and Jacquie Ovalle finally made its mark in the 61st minute, levelling the score at 1-1.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
Strong tornadoes and large hail ripped through Illinois and Indiana Tuesday night, leveling homes in their wake and killing two people in northwest Indiana.
—Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
American Real Estate Partners is leveling 122 acres at 10800 University City Blvd.
—Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026
Initially, both decisions went Wrexham’s way with referee Peter Bankes judging Dobson’s foul to be worthy of only a yellow card, while both teams had returned to halfway for the restart in the wake of Brunt seemingly levelling the tie at 3-3 in the 114th of 120 minutes.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
The firestorm plowed through the Pacific Palisades and into Malibu, burning 23,400 acres and leveling more than 6,800 structures, including many homes.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
Rooke alluded to one major cross-industry initiative, Universal Ads, which launched last year at CES with the goal of leveling the media-tech playing field.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
Self-leveling laser for layout and alignment.
—Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 25 Mar. 2026
The connection between Banda and Jacquie Ovalle finally made its mark in the 61st minute, levelling the score at 1-1.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
Strong tornadoes and large hail ripped through Illinois and Indiana Tuesday night, leveling homes in their wake and killing two people in northwest Indiana.
—Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
American Real Estate Partners is leveling 122 acres at 10800 University City Blvd.
—Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026
Initially, both decisions went Wrexham’s way with referee Peter Bankes judging Dobson’s foul to be worthy of only a yellow card, while both teams had returned to halfway for the restart in the wake of Brunt seemingly levelling the tie at 3-3 in the 114th of 120 minutes.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
The firestorm plowed through the Pacific Palisades and into Malibu, burning 23,400 acres and leveling more than 6,800 structures, including many homes.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leveling
Verb
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Kraus said his focus on City Council would be on creating a secure, sustainable community where his own grandchildren could thrive by balancing proactive law enforcement with community support.—
Nathan Pilling
March 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The challenge is balancing future planning with present-day demands without letting the stress compound.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Hospitals that implemented smoothing elective admissions have reported millions of dollars in additional annual revenue.—
Eugene Litvak,
STAT,
27 Mar. 2026
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The end result is a lotion that hydrates while also preventing breakouts and smoothing rough texture over time.—
Hana Hong,
Glamour,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Fighting Illini are aiming to clinch its first Final Four berth since 2005.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
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The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Detroit Free Press Staff,
Freep.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Multiple Waymo vehicles also have appeared on social media as stopping traffic or dropping people off in the wrong locations.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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Temperatures are forecast to continue dropping until sunrise, reaching 64 degrees, before climbing back up to 70 around noon.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But the grumblings about demolishing the library building have lately become a roaring debate.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
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Israel’s defense minister said the military would accelerate demolishing homes along the southern Lebanese border and destroy all bridges over the Litani River.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Contemporary theories of consciousness generally attempt to bridge this gap by equating consciousness with some measurable, physical property of the brain.—
Conor Feehly,
Big Think,
10 Mar. 2026
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The administration reframes the drug war as military conflict, equating cartels to terrorist groups like ISIS and prioritizing lethal force over law enforcement.—
Joshua Goodman,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That pacing felt right for top-down and lowers the barrier to entry without flattening the experience.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
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What’s most gratifying is the extent to which the filmmakers sought practical solutions and physical sets rather than relying solely on the digital toolbox or flattening the action with endless green-screen sequences.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Or at least, that’s the takeaway the governing Labour Party seems to have settled on, casting renewables as more insulated to oil price shocks.—
Natasha Bracken,
semafor.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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McClarnon joined other actors in a group called the American Indian Registry for the Performing Arts, where casting agents would come to find Native talent.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leveling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leveling. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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