ENGLISH
REFERENCE

leveled

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɫɛvəɫd// lev·eled

v. to make something flat or even. You can also use it to describe destroying a building or structure completely so that it is flat on the ground.

v. to make a surface horizontal or even; to demolish a building or structure entirely. Transitive — requires a direct object.


SIMPLE

The workers leveled the ground before building the house.

CONTEXTUAL

The powerful storm leveled several old barns in the valley, leaving nothing but flat foundations behind.

COMPLEX

After the earthquake, city planners had to decide whether to repair the damaged historic district or to have the remaining structures leveled to make way for modern developments.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. In British English, the spelling is typically 'levelled'.

Pitfall

The building leveled during the storm.The building was leveled during the storm.When describing destruction, 'level' is transitive; use the passive voice if the building is the subject.

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