even 1 of 3

even

2 of 3

adjective

1
as in exact
being neither more nor less than a certain amount, number, or extent the distance to town is an even mile

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
as in steady
not varying energy demands do not stay even throughout the day but peak significantly during the afternoon hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

even

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to smooth
to make free from breaks, curves, or bumps even the filling before adding the top layer of the cake

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to equate
to make equal in amount, degree, or status the contention that producing more arms will even us with the enemy and therefore make us more secure

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective even contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of even are flat, level, plane, and smooth. While all these words mean "having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities," even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight.

trim the hedge so it is even

When can flat be used instead of even?

The words flat and even are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

Where would level be a reasonable alternative to even?

In some situations, the words level and even are roughly equivalent. However, level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

When could plane be used to replace even?

While in some cases nearly identical to even, plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface.

the plane sides of a crystal

When is it sensible to use smooth instead of even?

Although the words smooth and even have much in common, smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.

a smooth skating rink

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 even
Adverb
He was even accused of planting plague on cadavers throughout San Francisco. Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025 In a recent Harvard University study, every fifth American reported feeling lonely, and that number is even higher among young adults and seniors. John Hewko, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
The tank was illuminated from below by a uniform LED light screen and diffuser to get an even background. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 21 Jan. 2025 In addition to ingestion, large plastic items, including fishing gear and other debris, can entangle marine creatures, causing injuries or even fatalities. Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
The loss evened the scaled between the Steelers and Ravens, both of which are 10-5 with two weeks left in the regular season. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024 After falling behind in the third period, an Erik Karlsson snipe evened the game. Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for even 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for even
Adverb
  • The film has been steadily playing in theaters for months and will certainly continue to be shown for a long time.
    Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2025
  • The song, a blistering diss track of Drake, certainly didn’t need the Super Bowl to hit the masses.
    Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 10 Feb. 2025
Adverb
  • Even if your skin is quite resilient, the best body washes for sensitive skin can benefit all skin types for their soothing, usually minimalist formulations.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Allure, 15 Feb. 2025
  • The landscape of the women’s game, though getting more crowded with real contenders, is not quite there yet.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • But Lamar’s superpower has long been his unique ability to navigate this exact tension between message and reach: to tell stories of American pain and oppression without coming off as preachy; to challenge audiences lyrically and musically while widening his listenership.
    Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Celine Flared serge jeans in steel blue wash denim $550 Buy Now These are the exact pair of jeans that Kendrick wore to the Super Bowl.
    Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Plus this episode also delivers peak unhinged Lex while he's stranded on an island post-plane crash and suffering from malaria, which leads to a moment that teases his natural killer instincts that he's kept so well hidden from Clark, and the world, so far.
    Christian Holub, EW.com, 16 Oct. 2021
  • But those cars were powered by pushrod engines with conventional cross-plane cranks.
    Rich Ceppos, Car and Driver, 2 Oct. 2022
Adjective
  • Artificial intelligence manages a warehouse, identical rows of burgers are flipped, and robots glide through factories.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Manchester City has enjoyed an identical win rate in the Premier League.
    Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Just hours before kickoff, sportsbooks have the Chiefs as 1.5-point favorites over the Eagles, a number which has remained steady throughout the past week.
    Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2025
  • But the New York Sirens are holding steady at about 2,500 fans a game despite a permanent move to the Prudential Center in Newark, home of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils.
    Carol Schram, Forbes, 8 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The formula is packed with keratins and proteins to fortify the nails, while key ingredients like cellulose, silica, celery seed extract, and camellia oil help smooth and strengthen.
    Iman Balagam, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2025
  • The two that were closed – runways 4/22 and 15/33 – are shorter than the main runway and typically used during busier periods at the airport to alleviate congestion and smooth the flow of traffic into and out of DCA.
    Russell Lewis, NPR, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Trump then equated employment practices benefitting minority groups with promoting incompetence, and indicated the fate of American Flight 5342 may have been the result of diversity, equity and inclusion hiring (DEI).
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Trump implicitly equated racial, gender and other forms of diversity with a lower-quality federal workforce.
    Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near even

Cite this Entry

“Even.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/even. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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