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
How technology is leveling the playing field Automation has enabled small businesses to step up their recruiting efforts.
—
Audrey Payne, CNBC, 29 May 2026
The coalition is urging for leveling the playing field for small farmers and giving them a seat at the policymaking table.
—Mikayla Price, CBS News, 18 May 2026
The hosts rode on a 137 from Mushfiqur Rahim to put on 390 in the second innings, setting Pakistan the 400-plus target for a series-leveling victory.
—ABC News, 18 May 2026
San Antonio stretched its lead to as many as 47 points on the way to leveling the series at one game apiece.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 7 May 2026
In recent weeks, the Israeli army has been leveling neighborhoods in towns and villages near the Lebanese-Israeli border.
—Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Prepare the soil by leveling and firming it.
—Elizabeth Jardina, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2026
The league is pushing for centralized television production for all teams, which would go a long way to leveling the financial playing field.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
The tornado left a trail of damage in Hillsdale, Kansas, Monday night, wrecking an RV park, toppling power lines, leveling homes and destroying a storage facility near West 255th Street.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
Audrey Payne, CNBC, 29 May 2026
The coalition is urging for leveling the playing field for small farmers and giving them a seat at the policymaking table.
—Mikayla Price, CBS News, 18 May 2026
The hosts rode on a 137 from Mushfiqur Rahim to put on 390 in the second innings, setting Pakistan the 400-plus target for a series-leveling victory.
—ABC News, 18 May 2026
San Antonio stretched its lead to as many as 47 points on the way to leveling the series at one game apiece.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 7 May 2026
In recent weeks, the Israeli army has been leveling neighborhoods in towns and villages near the Lebanese-Israeli border.
—Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Prepare the soil by leveling and firming it.
—Elizabeth Jardina, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2026
The league is pushing for centralized television production for all teams, which would go a long way to leveling the financial playing field.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
The tornado left a trail of damage in Hillsdale, Kansas, Monday night, wrecking an RV park, toppling power lines, leveling homes and destroying a storage facility near West 255th Street.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leveling
Verb
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Owens appeared on a panel focused on balancing parenthood and professional success.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2026
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Steven Messmer, a Democratic State Senate candidate from Baltimore City’s District 40, said lawmakers should focus on balancing clean energy goals with practical solutions.—
Ethan Putnam,
Baltimore Sun,
5 June 2026
Verb
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As a wellness enthusiast who has seen Paris slowly catch up to cities like London in cutting-edge treatments, I was impressed by the Kobi-Dior offering, a luxurious take on the centuries-old Japanese wrinkle-smoothing facial.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
12 June 2026
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This thong offers minimal coverage while offering the benefit of smoothing your lower stomach.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Apple is aiming to shift Siri from an assistant that answers questions to a critical tool across the iPhone’s software.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
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Despite return-to-office mandates aiming to restore culture and trust, global employee engagement has plummeted, indicating proximity doesn't guarantee belonging.—
Belonging Forum,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Orlando was also one of the cheaper destinations on the list, with average summer flights around $244, and some routes dropping below $70 depending on departure city and timing.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
12 June 2026
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Health inspectors found one vermin dropping on the shelf that was storing liquor and several old vermin droppings on the floor corner behind a metal cabinet.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
June 12,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Indeed, many media observers—inside and outside the network—have gone so far as to suggest that demolishing the status quo seems to be central to Weiss’s mandate.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
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In February 2024, police gave him and his wife minutes to pack before demolishing their home.—
Sam Mednick,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Israel and the United States condemned the move, accusing the court of equating Israeli leaders with Hamas terrorists.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
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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
Verb
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This can include flattening the hill, raking or shoveling the mound, or even using a garden hose to flood the area.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
4 June 2026
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The Hurricanes went 12-1, flattening opponents by applying the kind of smooth, inevitable pressure that would make a Zamboni driver jealous.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Cibrowski is said to be casting a wide net for talent, one of these people says, and is eager to bring in someone familiar with being on TV and with experience as a host.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
11 June 2026
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Federal audits would, instead of protecting elections, allow a conspiracy theory to be weaponized into a way to keep legal voters from casting their ballot.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leveling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leveling. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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