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
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
Federal prosecutors say the flames quickly spread, collapsing the roof and leveling the entire facility, which stored household products like Kleenex and Cottonelle.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
His shot generated a rebound for Carlsson, who patiently waited out Tolopilo to flick a score-leveling backhand for his 29th goal of 2025-26.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026
On Wednesday, the first day of the ceasefire, Israel hit Lebanon with its deadliest barrage of strikes of the war, killing hundreds and leveling buildings in Beirut.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
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
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
Federal prosecutors say the flames quickly spread, collapsing the roof and leveling the entire facility, which stored household products like Kleenex and Cottonelle.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
His shot generated a rebound for Carlsson, who patiently waited out Tolopilo to flick a score-leveling backhand for his 29th goal of 2025-26.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026
On Wednesday, the first day of the ceasefire, Israel hit Lebanon with its deadliest barrage of strikes of the war, killing hundreds and leveling buildings in Beirut.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leveling
Verb
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Colorado’s mayors recognize that balancing the state budget requires difficult choices.—
Heidi Williams,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
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The show features 12,000-pound trucks pulling off incredible moves, including balancing on two wheels and flying in head-to-head competitions.—
Wakisha Bailey,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Wire-free and closure-free construction for comfort with wide smoothing back and sides.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
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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
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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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On Friday, officials said the water levels were dropping after reaching less than 5 inches.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
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There was also the City Council’s jaw-dropping decision in November to raise the annual fees for the two subsidized valet parking spots every hotel gets by 789% — from $634 to $5,000.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Thiel says 200 workers spent Saturday demolishing the stair tower and elevator shaft, and then the focus shifts to the rest of the building.—
Ryan Hughes,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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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
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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This would essentially be doubling down on flattening the odds, which was already tested in 2019 and empirically did not reduce tanking.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
17 Apr. 2026
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Winners of previous Cap10Ks have often made their move on Veteran’s Drive, a downhill stretch that runs under MoPac before flattening out alongside Austin High School.—
Brom Hoban,
Austin American Statesman,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As with the first season, this one’s a casting coup with the four leads likely to land Emmy nominations (in particular Spaney and Melton, two of the best young actors working today).—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
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These exorbitant units dot Manhattan's skyline, casting long shadows over Central Park and city streets.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leveling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leveling. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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