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 smoothes
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of levels
Christine Persaud, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
By the time the five members of Tomorrow X Together (TXT for short) appear, not from the stage but through the pit doors, weaving past the barricades and into the sea of fans, the noise has swelled to seismic levels.
—Crystal Bell, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
According to a study published in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment in 2024, up to 70% of current wine-producing regions could become unsuitable for growing grapes if global temperatures rise by more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
—Miguel A. Torres, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
The predominant narrative among many springs scientists, advocates and government officials is that rising nitrate levels in springs over the past few decades fuels the growth of excess algae.
—Christopher F. Meindl, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
On Wednesday, when the order came to reconnect, traffic surged beyond normal levels.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) reported that no elevated toxin levels had been detected but said conditions could change.
—Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The loft is one of 22 live-work spaces with downstairs levels permitted for retail use.
—Sandra Barrera, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
Adults across income levels participate, with those in households earning $50,000 to $99,999 representing the largest share of costume wearers, according to the data.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025
Much like traditional holiday countdowns, these calendars add daily excitement, encourage playful traditions, and give crafters of all skill levels a chance to get festive.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2025
The film follows a college professor (Julia Roberts) who finds herself at a personal and professional crossroads when a star pupil (Ayo Edebiri) levels an accusation against one of her colleagues (Andrew Garfield), and a dark secret from her own past threatens to come to light.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
For kitties, there are three suction levels to handle cats with both thick and thin coats.
—Christine Persaud, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
By the time the five members of Tomorrow X Together (TXT for short) appear, not from the stage but through the pit doors, weaving past the barricades and into the sea of fans, the noise has swelled to seismic levels.
—Crystal Bell, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
According to a study published in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment in 2024, up to 70% of current wine-producing regions could become unsuitable for growing grapes if global temperatures rise by more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
—Miguel A. Torres, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
The predominant narrative among many springs scientists, advocates and government officials is that rising nitrate levels in springs over the past few decades fuels the growth of excess algae.
—Christopher F. Meindl, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
On Wednesday, when the order came to reconnect, traffic surged beyond normal levels.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) reported that no elevated toxin levels had been detected but said conditions could change.
—Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The loft is one of 22 live-work spaces with downstairs levels permitted for retail use.
—Sandra Barrera, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
Adults across income levels participate, with those in households earning $50,000 to $99,999 representing the largest share of costume wearers, according to the data.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
Two years out, the consensus rises modestly to $69, and to $77 five years from now, levels many independents say are too low to justify new drilling.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025
Much like traditional holiday countdowns, these calendars add daily excitement, encourage playful traditions, and give crafters of all skill levels a chance to get festive.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2025
The film follows a college professor (Julia Roberts) who finds herself at a personal and professional crossroads when a star pupil (Ayo Edebiri) levels an accusation against one of her colleagues (Andrew Garfield), and a dark secret from her own past threatens to come to light.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for levels
Noun
-
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries have emerged as central figures in the standoff, drawing praise even from critics within their own ranks.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Advertisement While many Republicans view the ACA subsidies as a temporary pandemic-era measure that should now lapse, a handful of GOP moderates in Congress have broken ranks.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
With elements of social realism and light absurdism, the film balances comedy and drama as Santiago attempts to reassemble his life.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The program, which was rolled out on Wednesday with the aim of attracting foreign professionals, will also test how China balances its immigration policy with its pursuit of technological ambitions.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Now, Stern, who co-founded Apple Fitness+ and previously oversaw Ford's subscription services, aims to upgrade Peloton's products in an effort to match its wide range of class types with its hardware.—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
China's Tianwen 3 mission aims to launch in late 2028 and return Mars material to Earth in 2031.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In between questions about Nineties cultural touchstones like Friends, Space Jam, Beavis and Butthead, the Spice Girls, and Sir-Mix-A-Lot — during which Kravitz racks up a lot of points and Butler downs a lot of shots — the pair also discusses working on Caught Stealing.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Trump, congressional Republicans and Democrats remain dug into their positions, with no end in sight to a shutdown that appears likely to spill into the weekend and perhaps beyond.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The Corrections Department budget increases wages for corrections officers but also makes tens of millions of dollars in cuts by eliminating programs and administrative costs and funding for positions that have not been filled.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The result is a myth that equates freedom with consumption, while obscuring the vast social, ecological, and economic costs imposed on everyone else.—
Henrietta Moore,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Dunne captures all of that in the title track, a bouncy, bittersweet singalong that equates success with a baked seafood dish.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Revitalizing Serum, made with mostly natural ingredients including red camellia extract, smooths and illuminates the skin while its counterpart—the Revitalizing Eye Serum—wakes up the gaze.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Pequi oil helps restore moisture and add shine, aloe vera smooths frizz and hydrates, and açai extract delivers antioxidants for healthier-looking strands.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Levels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/levels. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share