variants
or levelling
1
as in balancing
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in smoothing
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 aiming
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 dropping
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 demolishing
to destroy (as a building) completely by knocking down or breaking to pieces
an old warehouse that was leveled to build a parking lot
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of leveling
Laura Prepon and her estranged husband Ben Foster are leveling new allegations at each other amid their ongoing divorce.
—
Bailey Richards, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Thanks to the car’s self-leveling suspension, De Gaulle’s chauffeur accelerated out of the skid and drove to safety on three wheels.
—Raphael Orlove, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2025
The Pacific Palisades and Eaton fires devastated entire neighborhoods, leveling more than 16,000 structures and taking 29 lives.
—Tony Saavedra, Orange County Register, 24 Feb. 2025
In the San Gabriel Valley, where the Eaton fire charred a deadly and devastating path — leveling more than 9,400 structures including many homes — a state report noted that there’s a high likelihood that heavy rain could generate large, damaging post-fire flooding and debris flows.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Columbus would also have to acquire huge quantities of land for construction, leveling homes and businesses under eminent domain.
—Andrew King, Axios, 10 Feb. 2025
The Australian responded strongly, however, racing into a 3-0 lead at the start of the second set and leveling the match when Alcaraz failed to retrieve a backhand.
—George Ramsay, CNN, 10 Feb. 2025
Many greens argue that subsidies for solar, wind and other renewable energy sources are simply a means of leveling the playing field because fossil fuels have long received special tax treatment.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 2 Feb. 2025
Following the 2021 Dixie Fire, which destroyed the town of Greenville, California, leveling nearly 700 houses, Jones’s firm stepped in with rebuilding solutions attuned to local factors.
—Richard Olsen, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2025
Bailey Richards, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Thanks to the car’s self-leveling suspension, De Gaulle’s chauffeur accelerated out of the skid and drove to safety on three wheels.
—Raphael Orlove, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2025
The Pacific Palisades and Eaton fires devastated entire neighborhoods, leveling more than 16,000 structures and taking 29 lives.
—Tony Saavedra, Orange County Register, 24 Feb. 2025
In the San Gabriel Valley, where the Eaton fire charred a deadly and devastating path — leveling more than 9,400 structures including many homes — a state report noted that there’s a high likelihood that heavy rain could generate large, damaging post-fire flooding and debris flows.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Columbus would also have to acquire huge quantities of land for construction, leveling homes and businesses under eminent domain.
—Andrew King, Axios, 10 Feb. 2025
The Australian responded strongly, however, racing into a 3-0 lead at the start of the second set and leveling the match when Alcaraz failed to retrieve a backhand.
—George Ramsay, CNN, 10 Feb. 2025
Many greens argue that subsidies for solar, wind and other renewable energy sources are simply a means of leveling the playing field because fossil fuels have long received special tax treatment.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 2 Feb. 2025
Following the 2021 Dixie Fire, which destroyed the town of Greenville, California, leveling nearly 700 houses, Jones’s firm stepped in with rebuilding solutions attuned to local factors.
—Richard Olsen, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leveling
Verb
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Lawmakers at the Capitol have said they are focused on how to lower utility costs for customers, while balancing the state’s climate goals, and have questioned why the Public Utilities Commission approved a series of rate increases for PG&E last year.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacramento Bee,
22 Mar. 2025
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However, the reference to his businesses — which include Tesla, an electric vehicle manufacturer trying to expand sales and production in China — is an unusual acknowledgment of concerns about Musk balancing his corporate and government responsibilities.—
Tara Copp,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In the clubhouse, smoothing the path for Shohei Ohtani.—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Dec. 2024
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Powered by nourishing shea butter and jojoba oil, this silicone-free formula hydrates, softens, and enhances shine while smoothing unruly hair.—
Erin Parker,
Allure,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Since March 14, severe weather has left a trail of destruction, toppling trees, demolishing homes, and igniting wildfires, the Associated Press reported.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
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By 2006, Alcatel-Lucent, the building’s owner at the time, was considering demolishing the property.—
Celia Fernandez,Raffi Paul,
CNBC,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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By adjusting the magnetic field’s strength, the robot’s flight path may be accurately controlled.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Mar. 2025
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By adjusting the rate of pellet injections and corresponding laser pulses per second, Marvel’s fusion power plant can adjust the overall energy output to market demand, according to details provided by the company.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The flower stem can grow to be two to three feet tall or more, often making the plant somewhat top-heavy, so staking or weighing down the container can help prevent the pot from toppling over.—
Janet Carson,
arkansasonline.com,
30 Dec. 2024
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Then came Ukraine’s Maidan revolution in 2013, when tens of thousands of Ukrainians filled Kyiv’s Maidan square for days before toppling the pro-Russia regime.—
Howard LaFranchi,
The Christian Science Monitor,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
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For larger areas, core aeration, power-raking, shallow tilling, or vertical mowing can be used to prepare the soil and remove thatch.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
13 Dec. 2024
-
Penny became a right-wing cause célèbre, raking millions of dollars in donations toward his legal defense.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
3 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The driver pulled out a gun and fired six shots, the witness said, hitting not only the belligerent passenger but also an uninvolved man sitting nearby.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2025
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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His unit commander, a four-time ace at downing drones, never even played video games.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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After downing Memphis in the semifinals, Ed Pinckney, Dwyane McClain and the Wildcats played what would be remembered as the ‘Perfect Game,’ going 22 for 27 from the field and upsetting Patrick Ewing and defending national champion Georgetown in the final, 66-64.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leveling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leveling. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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