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
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Recent Examples of levels
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Feb. 2026
Net migration to the UK reached record levels in 2022, swelled by the war in Ukraine and the post-pandemic lifting of travel restrictions, but has since dropped off sharply.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 12 Feb. 2026
By the time the researchers tested for them, the concentrations had declined to levels lower than those found in agricultural soils.
—Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images Johnson pointed to polling that shows high levels of support for showing proof of citizenship and photo ID to vote.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
The upscale Copley Place has two levels of shopping, restaurants, four office buildings, 1,400 parking spaces and access to two hotels, The Westin hotel and the Boston Marriott Copley Place.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
At these elite levels, members have played on many other teams.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 11 Feb. 2026
The source of the leak was identified, repaired and levels have returned to normal, according to the university.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
The money will go toward efforts to combat antisemitism with education programs at the middle, high school and college levels, by partnering with universities that offer Western Civilization bachelor’s programs.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
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
While standard chemical leaching (without microbes) performed worse in microgravity than on Earth, the microbes maintained consistent extraction levels regardless of gravity.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Feb. 2026
Net migration to the UK reached record levels in 2022, swelled by the war in Ukraine and the post-pandemic lifting of travel restrictions, but has since dropped off sharply.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 12 Feb. 2026
By the time the researchers tested for them, the concentrations had declined to levels lower than those found in agricultural soils.
—Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images Johnson pointed to polling that shows high levels of support for showing proof of citizenship and photo ID to vote.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
The upscale Copley Place has two levels of shopping, restaurants, four office buildings, 1,400 parking spaces and access to two hotels, The Westin hotel and the Boston Marriott Copley Place.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
At these elite levels, members have played on many other teams.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 11 Feb. 2026
The source of the leak was identified, repaired and levels have returned to normal, according to the university.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
The money will go toward efforts to combat antisemitism with education programs at the middle, high school and college levels, by partnering with universities that offer Western Civilization bachelor’s programs.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
-
The files have created some genuine issues for news organizations, whose ranks are filled with individuals with whom Epstein hoped to forge personal connections.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
-
But as their robotic ranks swell, there have been an increasing number of incidents pitting man against machine, from sidewalk standoffs and traffic jams to a handful of collisions.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This contemporary restaurant carefully balances traditional Thai flavors with eye-catching, modern presentations.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The site has become a test case for how Dallas balances the interests of housing development, community trust and environmental risk.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As a result, the product hardens, strengthens, and smooths brittle, peeling nails.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Sea buckthorn oil helps prevent breakage, while saffron smooths the hair cuticle to minimize frizz and fight humidity.—
Sarah Hoffmann,
Allure,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
With initial tests scheduled by the end of 2026, the partnership aims to achieve operational functionality in the first two years, followed by further development and expansion.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
-
This audit aims to do just that, said Jared Rodriguez, executive director of the Childcare Providers Association of Michigan, a child care industry trade group that's spearheading the audit.—
Beki San Martin,
Freep.com,
11 Feb. 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
-
Once operational, about 300 permanent positions will remain at the site.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
-
This amendment would do the same thing as Proposition H, but for positions appointed by the city council.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Subsequent rulings expanded the assault on our electoral system, including Citizens United, which equates people to corporations — more nonsense.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Meghan Callahan, from the Empower Fans Coalition, a group that opposes the bill, equates this licensing change to taking a lease out on the ticket.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Levels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/levels. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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