levels 1 of 2

noun

plural of level
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

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levels

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of level
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

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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

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3
as in aims
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal the marksman leveled his gun at the target and fired

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4
as in downs
to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall the boxer leveled his opponent with a single blow

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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

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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
Noun
The Nippon-Ham Fighters posted revenue 59% above 2019 levels in their first year as owners of Es Con Field. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 Crosswinds at high levels, such as 40,000 feet (12,200 meters) above sea level, can often decapitate a storm. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026 This suggests how the oceans are interconnected with life on Earth on more levels than one. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 Missouri’s best practices guide for ALPRs was created after a review of law enforcement’s agencies use of the technology at the state, local and national levels, according to a news release. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026 Affecting equities Margin levels this high have been followed by risk-off periods in equities. — Sean Conlon, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026 Oysters can effectively help raise iron levels in people with higher iron needs, such as those with heavy menstrual cycles or with low iron stores. — Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 9 Oct. 2026 Matluck said people have different levels of the enzymes needed to process certain foods, and some lack specific enzymes altogether. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2026 As levels drop, the body becomes less efficient at cooling itself, triggering more frequent hot flashes and sweating that mixes with skin bacteria to produce stronger or unfamiliar smells. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
Tornado levels homes in Enid, Oklahoma Residents of Enid, Oklahoma, are surveying the damage on Friday after a massive tornado ripped through the city on Thursday night. — Jack Moore, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for levels
  1. ranks
  2. balances
  3. smooths
  4. aims
  5. downs
  6. demolishes
  7. positions
  8. equates
Noun
  • Since 2017, Tom Ford Beauty has gained about 20 ranks, today placing 19th, according to an aggregate of rankings from 23 countries.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In a turnaround from last week, when the extended holiday lifted a number of novels into the upper ranks, comics sweep the top 10 this week.
    — Billboard Japan, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of ranks
Verb
  • Quigley, bearded and burly but soft-edged with a deliberative way of speaking that can serve a range of emotions, is brilliant, and Patel balances him admirably.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Young balances his emotion on a razor’s edge every time, without exception.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of balances
Verb
  • This in-shower treatment smooths the cuticle for reflective, glass-like shine, leaving strands softer, silkier, and ultra-glossy in just one minute.
    — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Researchers solved this issue by creating a dual processing technique that smooths the material surface and manages how the crystals form.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of smooths
Verb
  • In 2025, the company opened a global fragrance atelier in Paris, called La Maison des Paroberfums, which aims to accelerate innovation across its portfolio of fragrance brands including Jo Malone London, Le Labo, Kilian Paris and more.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The military operation there aims to restore sovereignty and confront the Houthi militia that’s attacking not just Saudi Arabia and Yemen, but the arteries of the global economy.
    — Faisal J. Abbas, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of aims
Verb
  • Weatherford downs Arlington Lamar Weatherford picked up a crucial 35-28 win over Arlington Lamar on Friday, moving into the District 3-6A playoff hunt.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Both teams had ups and downs (mostly downs for the Browns) but Ohio State was always a much better, and much more fun atmosphere.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of downs
Verb
  • An $8,000 Ryvid Anthem or a $10,000 Maeving RM1S will deliver broadly similar urban usability, while the $12,500 Zero FXE absolutely demolishes it on power-per-dollar.
    — Utkarsh Sood June 12, New Atlas, 12 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of demolishes
Noun
  • Two Filipinos must fill above-the-line roles – director, writer or actor – and five more must work in key creative or technical crew positions.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Verstappen has called on Red Bull to sort out an issue which led to him losing positions at the start in Malaysia and in Saturday's sprint.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of positions
Verb
  • Bob O’Brien, Counterpoint’s research director, also equates Mini LED with FALD.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Xi equates compromise with weakness and has a hard time understanding the give-a-little-to-get-a-little logic that is the heart and soul of diplomacy.
    — Orville Schell, Foreign Affairs, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of equates

Browse Nearby Words

leveling
levels
lever
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Cite this Entry

“Levels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/levels. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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