as in ranks
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
Relevance
1
as in balances
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 smooths
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 aims
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 downs
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 demolishes
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of levels
Steven Sosna, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
While levels of lead in soil are the main drivers for EPA action, the data on children’s blood lead levels can inform decisions like lowering cleanup thresholds, said Kellen Ashford, an EPA spokesperson.
—Chris Bowling, ProPublica, 15 Apr. 2026
Critical decisions such as these require the assurance that tax rates won’t swing back to unreasonable levels overnight.
—Blanche Lincoln, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
California has set a goal of reducing methane emissions to 40% below 2013 levels by 2030.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Some groundwater monitoring wells detected contamination levels higher than at any point since 1991, which the county believes may be due to a new leak.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
The San Jose club will offer players of all skill levels the flexibility to play on their schedule through a simple, all-inclusive monthly membership.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Temperature and rainfall determine how much pollen is released and how quickly levels spike.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Russia has managed to recruit 30,000 men a month, levels that Ukraine, with only a quarter of Russia’s population, has struggled to match.
—Olivier Kempf, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
The lawsuit also levels a series of accusations against the city of Los Angeles and its Department of Water and Power.
—City News Service, Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026
But a new documentary about the reality show levels some serious accusations against all those involved in the production.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
Align with what actually levels you up, not what confirms bias, is rage bait or just gives a dopamine hit.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026
When a star student (Ayo Edebiri) levels an accusation against one of her colleagues (Andrew Garfield), the professor is forced to navigate complex moral territory while a dark secret from her own past threatens to come into the light.
—Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 13 Nov. 2025
Noun
The combination of hot temperatures, falling humidity levels, and a gusty breeze.
—Steven Sosna, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
While levels of lead in soil are the main drivers for EPA action, the data on children’s blood lead levels can inform decisions like lowering cleanup thresholds, said Kellen Ashford, an EPA spokesperson.
—Chris Bowling, ProPublica, 15 Apr. 2026
Critical decisions such as these require the assurance that tax rates won’t swing back to unreasonable levels overnight.
—Blanche Lincoln, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
California has set a goal of reducing methane emissions to 40% below 2013 levels by 2030.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Some groundwater monitoring wells detected contamination levels higher than at any point since 1991, which the county believes may be due to a new leak.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
The main difference is that Ruisdael cranes upward, to behold a castle on a hill, whereas Vermeer levels his gaze across open water.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
The San Jose club will offer players of all skill levels the flexibility to play on their schedule through a simple, all-inclusive monthly membership.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Temperature and rainfall determine how much pollen is released and how quickly levels spike.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Russia has managed to recruit 30,000 men a month, levels that Ukraine, with only a quarter of Russia’s population, has struggled to match.
—Olivier Kempf, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
The lawsuit also levels a series of accusations against the city of Los Angeles and its Department of Water and Power.
—City News Service, Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026
But a new documentary about the reality show levels some serious accusations against all those involved in the production.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
Align with what actually levels you up, not what confirms bias, is rage bait or just gives a dopamine hit.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026
When a star student (Ayo Edebiri) levels an accusation against one of her colleagues (Andrew Garfield), the professor is forced to navigate complex moral territory while a dark secret from her own past threatens to come into the light.
—Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 13 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for levels
Noun
-
The roads of New Orleans are cluttered with serried ranks of billboards touting the services of personal-injury lawyers.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Despite that effort, Angier dies, but a new clone is added to his ranks.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The show balances the crime world against something as comparatively mundane as a local mayoral race — and somehow both feel equally high-stakes.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Eyewear today balances practicality with style, allowing wearers to refine their look while choosing frames that reflect their everyday style.—
Advertorial,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Retinal ReSculpt Body Treatment dramatically lifts, firms, and tightens sagging, crepey skin and smooths the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The swimsuit also has a ruched front that smoothes the tummy area, along with a full-coverage back and adjustable straps for a secure fit.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Unlike current treatments that primarily manage symptoms by replacing dopamine, the experimental therapy aims to modify the disease itself, a shift experts describe as potentially transformative.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
His latest best seller, The Meaning of Your Life, aims to help anyone who finds that, even while enjoying successes by many measures, their existence feels empty.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Birdville downs rival Richland Matthew Moore allowed 1 earned run while scattering 2 hits across 5 innings to lead North Richland Hills Birdville past North Richland Hills Richland 3-2 in a District 6-5A showdown on Tuesday night at Richland High School.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Greene downs it, throws the kid his jersey, smiles, and all is right with the world.—
Debby Wolfinsohn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The latest filing demolishes the timeworn claim that DOGE was infiltrated into Social Security in order to responsibly ferret out fraud and overspending.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The positions include 11 elementary school counselors, 17 exceptional service education counselors, 16 social workers, 21 clerical support assistants and 40 district management positions, according to a document provided by the school district.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Leaders say internal job fairs are scheduled this Saturday and on the 25, giving staff a chance to apply for other positions for next school year.—
Lacey Beasley,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sara Aparacio, a resident cleaning expert at Homeaglow, equates scrubbing an appliance with an abrasive sponge to rubbing it with very fine sandpaper.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Wright equates climate-change activists to alarmists and has likened efforts by Democrats to combat global warming to Soviet-style communism.—
Anca Gurzu,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Levels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/levels. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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