Synonyms of level

level 1 of 3

noun

ˈle-vəl 

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

• position
• ranking
• rank
• echelon
• place
• degree
• status
• standing
• situation
• stratum
• footing
• station
• rung
• reach(es)
• condition
• function
• capacity
• rating
• walk
• order
• estate

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

• balance
• equate
• adjust
• equalize
• even
• compensate
• accommodate
• equilibrate
• standardize
• fit
• normalize
• counterbalance
• equipoise
• regularize
• democratize
• homogenize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disequilibrate

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

• smooth
• plane
• rake
• even
• shave
• trim
• flatten
• lay
• clip
• crop
• surface
• smoothen
• card
• pare
• comb
• spread
• prune
• press

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rough
• roughen
• wrinkle
• bend
• pit
• kink
• coarsen
• dent
• rumple

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aim
• direct
• cast
• set
• head
• train
• hold
• focus
• sight
• bend
• pinpoint
• steer
• face
• concentrate
• incline
• bear
• orient

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• curve
• avert
• deflect
• divert
• shunt
• detour
• sidetrack
• rechannel

4

as in to down

to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall

the boxer leveled his opponent with a single blow

Synonyms & Similar Words

• down
• drop
• floor
• fell
• hit
• mow (down)
• smack
• topple
• knock down
• prostrate
• knock over
• slam
• punch
• pound
• slap
• bowl (down or over)
• bang
• overthrow
• knock out
• thump
• poke
• throw down
• whack
• swipe
• belt
• jab
• slug
• hammer
• paste
• sock
• swat
• bash
• smite
• slog
• wallop
• KO
• bludgeon
• clobber
• whale
• kayo
• thwack

5

as in to demolish

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

• demolish
• tear down
• pull down
• raze
• destroy
• total
• unbuild
• finish
• eradicate
• wipe out
• dynamite
• blow up
• overturn
• obliterate
• waste
• ruin
• abolish
• decimate
• wreck
• extirpate
• flatten
• annihilate
• smash
• dissolve
• scourge
• ravage
• pulverize
• dash
• devastate
• unmake
• devour
• crack up
• do in
• crush

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• build
• raise
• construct
• put up
• erect
• restore
• form
• rebuild
• create
• renew
• shape
• make
• manufacture
• renovate
• fashion
• forge
• fabricate

level

3 of 3

adjective

1

as in plane

having a surface without bends, breaks, or irregularities

looked for a level place to land the plane

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plane
• smooth
• exact
• flat
• even
• horizontal
• true
• regular
• uniform
• vertical
• flush
• straight
• aligned
• plumb
• tabular

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uneven
• coarse
• rough
• lumpy
• bumpy
• warped
• irregular
• inexact
• undulating
• unsmoothed
• wavy
• undulatory
• unaligned
• pitted
• pocky
• pockmarked

2

as in calm

free from emotional or mental agitation

in a much more level mood now that the worst is over

Synonyms & Similar Words

• calm
• serene
• composed
• collected
• peaceful
• equal
• tranquil
• possessed
• placid
• steady
• at peace
• smooth
• undisturbed
• confident
• together
• unperturbed
• centered
• unruffled
• sedate
• limpid
• cool
• unshaken
• untroubled
• unworried
• recollected
• mellow
• relaxed
• relieved
• coolheaded
• nonchalant
• even
• unshakable
• detached
• well-balanced
• self-possessed
• self-composed
• unflappable
• imperturbable
• equable
• dispassionate
• carefree
• disciplined
• bovine
• aloof
• nerveless
• breezy
• even-keeled
• easygoing
• assured
• sober
• indifferent
• well-adjusted
• affable
• self-contained
• unconcerned
• phlegmatic
• laid-back
• impassive
• loosey-goosey
• stolid
• tranquilized
• self-controlled
• devil-may-care
• happy-go-lucky
• self-assured

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disturbed
• upset
• perturbed
• agitated
• anxious
• distressed
• bothered
• worried
• nervous
• uneasy
• unsettled
• unstrung
• unhinged
• tense
• restless
• flustered
• unquiet
• unstable
• jittery
• discomposed
• unglued
• jumpy
• skittish
• uptight
• high-strung

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of level

Noun

The National Development and Reform Commission is a ministerial-level agency of the State Council and functions as a central economic planning and industrial policy body within the Chinese government. —Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2026

Remember to look high and low, scrutinizing not just eye-level shelves but also the very top ledges and the floor beneath hanging clothes. —Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026

Verb

The houses, deemed radioactive, had been levelled and buried, along with the apple orchard. —Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026

Brugts struck the post after the interval as Barcelona regained its earlier dominance, only to be caught out when Kett leveled in the 69th. —ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026

Adjective

And then the Chinese government used the conversion to pure EVs to end subsidies, to change the level playing field, to tilt it in the local OEMs’ favor. —Jamie Lincoln Kitman, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026

Five of the residences, including mine, Fethuri, have three bedrooms (sleeping up to eight adults), with gorgeous outdoor showers and multi-level terraces at both ends. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

Phrases Containing level

• on the level