level 1 of 3

Definition of levelnext
as in position
the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement a young karate student ready to rise to the next level in his chosen art of self-defense

Synonyms & Similar Words

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level

2 of 3

verb

1
as in to balance
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to smooth
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 to aim
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal the marksman leveled his gun at the target and fired

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
5

level

3 of 3

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective level contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of level are even, flat, plane, and smooth. While all these words mean "having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities," level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

When is it sensible to use even instead of level?

In some situations, the words even and level are roughly equivalent. However, even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight.

trim the hedge so it is even

When might flat be a better fit than level?

The meanings of flat and level largely overlap; however, flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

When is plane a more appropriate choice than level?

The words plane and level are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface.

the plane sides of a crystal

When could smooth be used to replace level?

The synonyms smooth and level are sometimes interchangeable, but smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.

a smooth skating rink

How does the adjective level contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of level are even, flat, plane, and smooth. While all these words mean "having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities," level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

When is it sensible to use even instead of level?

In some situations, the words even and level are roughly equivalent. However, even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight.

trim the hedge so it is even

When might flat be a better fit than level?

The meanings of flat and level largely overlap; however, flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

When is plane a more appropriate choice than level?

The words plane and level are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface.

the plane sides of a crystal

When could smooth be used to replace level?

The synonyms smooth and level are sometimes interchangeable, but smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.

a smooth skating rink

How does the adjective level contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of level are even, flat, plane, and smooth. While all these words mean "having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities," level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

When is it sensible to use even instead of level?

In some situations, the words even and level are roughly equivalent. However, even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight.

trim the hedge so it is even

When might flat be a better fit than level?

The meanings of flat and level largely overlap; however, flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

When is plane a more appropriate choice than level?

The words plane and level are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface.

the plane sides of a crystal

When could smooth be used to replace level?

The synonyms smooth and level are sometimes interchangeable, but smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.

a smooth skating rink

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of level
Noun
Most Americans, however, aren’t buying fertilizer or diesel at anywhere near the levels that Boyd and other farmers are. Hannah Parker, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026 Medications are a key tool in helping get your blood pressure down to healthy levels. Mara Gordon, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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 Homes and a gas station were leveled, among other buildings. Lauren Victory, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The Advanced tier is perfect for mid-level and large companies, which further augments your accounting department with Excel data sync capabilities along with backup and restore functionality. George Yang, PC Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026 Democracy requires small business owners to have a level playing field. Ted Hope, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for level
Recent Examples of Synonyms for level
Noun
  • The rapid charging capability positions the Ti3 as part of BYD’s broader effort to make EVs more convenient for everyday use.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026
  • White officials used their positions atop the local commissions that oversaw federal agricultural programs to drive Black landowners into so much debt that most of them had to sell off their land.
    Boyce Upholt, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Clear agreements matter as the Moon conjoins mental Mercury in your 7th House of Alignments, encouraging honest dialogue that balances your needs with someone else’s.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The appeal lies in the note itself—creamy, green, and gently herbaceous—often balanced with softer, sweeter elements.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • That’s why our testers—spanning a wide range of skin types, ages, and skin concerns—have spent months determining which products actually deliver on their fine-line-smoothing and dark-circle-erasing promises.
    Grace McCarty, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Additionally, the screen uses auto-smoothing flex glass, which is resistant to deformation and better able to recover its original shape.
    Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Backed by Yangtze River Industry Group, researchers aim to scale production, expecting chip-scale atomic clocks to expand into military and civilian communication applications as costs decline.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
  • The fourth measure to be endorsed Wednesday aims to increase San Diego’s hotel tax revenue, but at the expense of online travel companies like Expedia instead of at the expense of tourists.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Officials reported storm damage, downed power lines and trees and power outages.
    DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
  • And not just from downing nootropic stacks and Chinese peptides, the latest tech-world fad drugs.
    Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The 39-year-old photographer from Beirut captured a stunning sequence of images in the early hours of Wednesday, showing an IDF missile demolishing a tower block in one fell swoop.
    Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
  • With the convention center demolished for renovations, festivalgoers moving between key areas like Rainey Street and Congress Avenue felt the city’s transportation gaps more acutely.
    Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • August 23 – September 22 Clear agreements start with calm words.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
  • On top of the pool and beach, where the sea is calm and swimmable, the resort has an incredibly engaging kids program called Nature Discovery, where older kids can go sailing and mountain biking while younger kids can learn to sail and take kitesurfing lessons.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But that counterintuitive ranking, in a state that hasn’t elected a Republican statewide in years, has Democrats in a dither and reform advocates once again saying that California needs to shift to a more representative form of voting.
    James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Mauritius, which has among the highest GDP per capita in Africa, was ranked highest on the continent at 73 out of 147 countries, while Nigeria’s ranking fell by one place, and South Africa — which faces youth unemployment at 57% — fell by six places from 2025 to 2026.
    Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 20 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Level.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/level. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

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