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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of levels
Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
The Committee for Better Banks, which is helping organize union efforts alongside the CWA, hopes the movement will one day expand to Charlotte as the union pushes for higher pay, staffing levels and benefits.
—Chase Jordan
april 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026
The drug also helps control glucose levels for people with other types of diabetes.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Choreography geared towards advanced beginner and intermediate teen/adult dancers, but all experience levels ages 14 and older are welcome.
—Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2026
That previous analysis, conducted by the University of Chicago Crime Lab, found deployment levels decline during the weekend overnight time periods when shootings are most common.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
The 23-foot-wide spread has five bedrooms and seven bathrooms in roughly 6,400 square feet across six levels.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2026
Thousands are now not showing up for work, hundreds have quit altogether, and the average wait time at airports has reached record levels.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 26 Mar. 2026
When combined with another low-cost material for the complementary reaction in the fuel cell, the system achieved high power output levels.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
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
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
Noun
Ames had her home tested after that, and those results confirmed the house had mold − with high enough levels in the air alone that experts told the Ames family to leave their home immediately.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
The Committee for Better Banks, which is helping organize union efforts alongside the CWA, hopes the movement will one day expand to Charlotte as the union pushes for higher pay, staffing levels and benefits.
—Chase Jordan
april 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026
The drug also helps control glucose levels for people with other types of diabetes.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Choreography geared towards advanced beginner and intermediate teen/adult dancers, but all experience levels ages 14 and older are welcome.
—Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2026
That previous analysis, conducted by the University of Chicago Crime Lab, found deployment levels decline during the weekend overnight time periods when shootings are most common.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
The 23-foot-wide spread has five bedrooms and seven bathrooms in roughly 6,400 square feet across six levels.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2026
Thousands are now not showing up for work, hundreds have quit altogether, and the average wait time at airports has reached record levels.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 26 Mar. 2026
When combined with another low-cost material for the complementary reaction in the fuel cell, the system achieved high power output levels.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for levels
Noun
-
Ghalibaf came through the ranks of the guard himself and is believed to be among the inner circle of Mojtaba Khamenei, the ayatollah's son and successor.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Johnson’s legacy includes his son Bret and Rob Johnson, who were standout quarterbacks at El Toro and played in the college and professional ranks.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Navigating these cases requires a deep dive into complex valuations and a strategy that balances personal dynamics with economic realities.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Long-term planning that balances reliability with cost will be essential as demand continues to rise.—
David Santiago,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Avène’s Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream smooths it all, thanks to soothing thermal spring water that helps skin bounce back from stress.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The brand’s stretch jean tech somehow smoothes my stomach and clings to my legs without feeling restrictive.—
Elizabeth Mitchell Kadar,
Glamour,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
During oral arguments, several conservative justices questioned the legal foundation and practical enforcement of the policy, which aims to deny citizenship to some children born in the United States to undocumented or temporary immigrant parents.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In a new book, author Christopher Whitcomb aims to uncover the truth of the killings and investigation.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Greene downs it, throws the kid his jersey, smiles, and all is right with the world.—
Debby Wolfinsohn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Feb. 2026
-
But Sarah Graves gives a bit too much room and Penn downs a 3-pointeron the wing.—
Zoe Collins Rath,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Nov. 2025
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 City of Sacramento is currently facing a $66 million budget deficit, and there's concern that some violence prevention efforts and police positions could be cut beginning in July.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
This range of positions—curator, writer, producer, museum guide, educator—made my curatorial approach more adaptable.—
Raphael Fonseca,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In a world that often equates growth with success, his model suggests another path.—
K. H. Koehler,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
-
While some might say that was a sign of progress, Roby equates it as to losing a dear friend.—
Rick Cantu,
Austin American Statesman,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Levels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/levels. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
