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
Grief has a way of leveling us.
—
Jennifer Sodini, 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
The Brazilian put away a goal with ease, leveling the match in the 37th minute.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
In the weeks since, fears of a long-term occupation of southern Lebanon have grown, with Israel moving to establish a buffer zone in the area, leveling homes and destroying bridges over the Litani River, which connects the south to the rest of Lebanon, while taking control of what crossings remain.
—Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
Local reporters described a massive explosion in one such town on Wednesday, later confirmed to be part of the Israeli military’s expanding policy of detonating and leveling structures to prevent residents from returning.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Legal challenges Meanwhile, legal charges were brought against Sonko in February 2021 that accused him of rape and of leveling death threats against the person who accused him, a young massage therapist.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Mar. 2026
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
Self-leveling laser for layout and alignment.
—Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 25 Mar. 2026
Jennifer Sodini, 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
The Brazilian put away a goal with ease, leveling the match in the 37th minute.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
In the weeks since, fears of a long-term occupation of southern Lebanon have grown, with Israel moving to establish a buffer zone in the area, leveling homes and destroying bridges over the Litani River, which connects the south to the rest of Lebanon, while taking control of what crossings remain.
—Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
Local reporters described a massive explosion in one such town on Wednesday, later confirmed to be part of the Israeli military’s expanding policy of detonating and leveling structures to prevent residents from returning.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Legal challenges Meanwhile, legal charges were brought against Sonko in February 2021 that accused him of rape and of leveling death threats against the person who accused him, a young massage therapist.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Mar. 2026
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
Self-leveling laser for layout and alignment.
—Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leveling
Verb
-
Sprinkles was balancing a few stones atop one another with great concentration.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Still, the Sharks are balancing the development of their young guys with the lineup that gives them the best chance to win.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Wire-free and closure-free construction for comfort with wide smoothing back and sides.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Not to mention, they’re made with 360-degree tummy control, waist-definition, and a back-smoothing design.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Colorado Avalanche hit the road against the Edmonton Oilers aiming to prolong a six-game road winning streak.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The Bears would contribute $2 billion, with the state aiming to spend about $1 billion, to be repaid through an admissions tax and other local taxes.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Shortly after dropping his ailing bid for reelection, Adams embarked on a four-day trip to Albania, meeting with the country’s Prime Minister Edi Rama and members of his Cabinet, along with local business leaders.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
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In addition, a helicopter shot in the teaser sweeps low over Oyster Bay, dropping Miranda and Andy at a sprawling waterfront compound that eagle-eyed viewers—or real estate insiders—may recognize as the former estate of Billy Joel.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The musician and fashion mogul began the process of demolishing the architectural gem, completely stripping its electricity, plumbing, bathrooms, and windows.—
India Roby,
Architectural Digest,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The Michigan basketball team is headed to the NCAA national championship game Monday night after demolishing Arizona 93-71 in the Final Four on Saturday in Indianapolis.—
Brian Manzullo,
Freep.com,
5 Apr. 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
-
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
-
For years, companies have been flattening their organizations and cutting down middle management.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
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Experts say the Treasury yield curve is flattening, though, which could mean longer-term rates will start to win out in the near future.—
Aly J Yale,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tucker picked up the heavy-duty custom bait-casting rod and put his 90-pound body to work battling the deep cat.—
Bob McNally,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
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Does this mean that you guys will finally be casting the role of Roman next season?—
Max Gao,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leveling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leveling. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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