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
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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
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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
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4
as in dropping
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 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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of leveling
Fingers may well have been pointed at Ryan Barnett for the uncharacteristic mistake that led to hosts Bristol Rovers levelling at 1-1, having trailed for over an hour, as Promise Omochere headed in from close range four minutes from time.
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Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
One thing that stands out to me is the federal government’s seeming use of fear, confusion and uncertainty—combined with very nuanced language—to target individuals, agencies and companies who, in many cases, have been trying to do the right thing by leveling the uneven playing field of the past.
—Doug Melville, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
The goal then was to gradually get Charlotte used to using its hind flippers again by leveling its position gradually using small weights at the start and moving to larger weights later on.
—Ars Technica, 21 Dec. 2024
Security video shows the killer approaching Thompson from behind, leveling his pistol and firing several shots, barely pausing to clear a gun jam while the executive tumbled to the sidewalk.
—Michael Balsamo, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
The cast does try, though, with Fassbender leveling his unyielding gaze on yet another role driven by intense, near-constant solemnity.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Nov. 2024
Microsoft was added to a third version of the lawsuit, with Musk now leveling antitrust claims related to the tech giant’s multibillion-dollar investment in OpenAI.
—Jenn Brice, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2024
This truth has become even more evident since December 2021, when Super Typhoon Odette struck the southeastern Philippines, leveling much of Siargao.
—Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2024
Eleven focused on leveling the playing field for girls and women, one went to the American Institute for Boys and Men.
—Ryan Craig, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
One thing that stands out to me is the federal government’s seeming use of fear, confusion and uncertainty—combined with very nuanced language—to target individuals, agencies and companies who, in many cases, have been trying to do the right thing by leveling the uneven playing field of the past.
—Doug Melville, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
The goal then was to gradually get Charlotte used to using its hind flippers again by leveling its position gradually using small weights at the start and moving to larger weights later on.
—Ars Technica, 21 Dec. 2024
Security video shows the killer approaching Thompson from behind, leveling his pistol and firing several shots, barely pausing to clear a gun jam while the executive tumbled to the sidewalk.
—Michael Balsamo, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
The cast does try, though, with Fassbender leveling his unyielding gaze on yet another role driven by intense, near-constant solemnity.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Nov. 2024
Microsoft was added to a third version of the lawsuit, with Musk now leveling antitrust claims related to the tech giant’s multibillion-dollar investment in OpenAI.
—Jenn Brice, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2024
This truth has become even more evident since December 2021, when Super Typhoon Odette struck the southeastern Philippines, leveling much of Siargao.
—Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2024
Eleven focused on leveling the playing field for girls and women, one went to the American Institute for Boys and Men.
—Ryan Craig, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leveling
Verb
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At the same time, record global temperatures and California’s aggressive regulatory actions served as stark reminders of the urgency of balancing energy growth with sustainability.Robert Rapier, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
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But the country’s new leaders will also have to look outward, balancing the tangled, sometimes contradictory interests of many foreign powers — some friendly, some hostile, some wary.Josh Holder, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2024
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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Which program will pay the most for the valuable service of demolishing them?Sam Blum, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
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General Motors is preparing to move out, and an ambitious redevelopment vision that would involve demolishing two RenCen towers is said to hinge on a commitment of public financing support — one that hasn't been forthcoming so far.JC Reindl, Detroit Free Press, 3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The complication only needs adjusting every 122 years—an ageless classic bursting with joie de vivre just like Goldblum.Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 6 Jan. 2025
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The On the Basis of Sex actress previously opened up about adjusting to motherhood after the birth of her first child.Jane LaCroix, People.com, 4 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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
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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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In 2011, Meester, who was at the height of her Gossip Girl fame, attended the event as a presenter, hitting the stage Garrett Hedlund to give out an award.Luke Chinman, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025
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Players continue hitting the cue ball off other balls to try and get their balls into pockets until only the eight ball remains.Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Russia has denied responsibility, but a Dutch court in 2022 convicted two Russians and a pro-Russia Ukrainian man for their role in downing the plane with an air defense system brought into Ukraine from a Russian military base.ASSOCIATED PRESS, TIME, 28 Dec. 2024
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The Ohio centenarian recently marked her birthday by downing a shot of Fireball whisky, something that has become a tradition for Hackman, who lives at a senior living facility in Loveland, Ohio.Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 25 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near leveling
Cite this Entry
“Leveling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leveling. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
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