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
Others chided Pattie Gonia for leveling the accusation against Patagonia, a company considered by many as a leader in sustainability, without painting a full picture of the case.
—
Brittany Peterson, Fortune, 12 June 2026
That might be done by filling it with debris from hospital construction and graded earth or by leveling it with parking structures that would support an elevated ground floor.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
The bombings literally created a firestorm, levelling between 85 to 99 percent of the town, with what was left continuing to burn for days.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
That ability moves towards leveling the playing field between businesses of different sizes, increases efficiency for all firms, and super charges competition to the benefit of consumers.
—Jessica Melugin, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
How technology is leveling the playing field Automation has enabled small businesses to step up their recruiting efforts.
—Audrey Payne, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Violent storms spawned destructive tornadoes over the weekend, leveling homes and sending trees and power lines flying through the air.
—Rob Marciano, 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
Brittany Peterson, Fortune, 12 June 2026
That might be done by filling it with debris from hospital construction and graded earth or by leveling it with parking structures that would support an elevated ground floor.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
The bombings literally created a firestorm, levelling between 85 to 99 percent of the town, with what was left continuing to burn for days.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
That ability moves towards leveling the playing field between businesses of different sizes, increases efficiency for all firms, and super charges competition to the benefit of consumers.
—Jessica Melugin, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
How technology is leveling the playing field Automation has enabled small businesses to step up their recruiting efforts.
—Audrey Payne, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Violent storms spawned destructive tornadoes over the weekend, leveling homes and sending trees and power lines flying through the air.
—Rob Marciano, 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leveling
Verb
-
The challenge will continue to be balancing flexibility with efficiency.—
Omar Leigh,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
Ben had an incredible instinct for balancing comedy and discomfort.—
Simon Bland,
IndieWire,
12 June 2026
Verb
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This one’s made with a blend of recycled materials and spandex, which reviewers say is thick and comfortably smoothing, and features adjustable criss-cross back straps and a shelf bra.—
Olivia Cigliano,
InStyle,
20 June 2026
-
True to its name, the lightweight styler enhances your natural texture while smoothing flyaways and boosting softness (no heat required).—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
The renovation masterfully blends contemporary comforts with the Inn's historic character, aiming for a sophisticated yet authentic residential feel.—
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian oil facilities, aiming to cut Moscow’s revenue for the war and make Russians feel the consequences of the invasion.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
The water-dropping helicopters returned during Friday's flare-up.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
Participation ebbs and flows with the economy, dropping to 35 million in 2019.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
19 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
-
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
-
There is a version of leadership that confuses visibility with impact, equating big initiatives and dramatic turnarounds with strong leadership.—
Monica Cutia,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
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
Verb
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Grant asks Chris about the boxing gloves now for sale in the night store, but Katie forestalls him by running over and grabbing them, nearly flattening Chris.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
-
The ambition is to ensure that AI reflects the identity of the organisation using it, rather than flattening those differences.—
Heather Farmbrough,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, soon signed it remotely too –– quickly casting doubt over whether an in-person signing event was now needed.—
Nic Robertson,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
-
Before Sony, Chugerman worked in casting at ABC.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leveling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leveling. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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