1
as in to smooth
to make free from breaks, curves, or bumps
flattened out the wrinkled paper before attempting to trace the pattern
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bury
to defeat by a large margin
if you don't understand the rules, you're going to get flattened when you try to play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flatten
For the separator, small PET pieces the size of postage stamps were flattened and perforated with hot needles, optimizing current flow through the liquid electrolyte.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
Blocks flattened in Jabalia and Rafah In several areas that Israeli forces have controlled for extended periods of time, including Rafah, northern Gaza, and Khan Younis, buildings along entire blocks of cities have been razed altogether.
—Victoria Beaule, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2025
The bombardment has wounded tens of thousands more, flattened thousands of buildings and reduced much of the territory’s infrastructure — and its landscape — to rubble, shrapnel and sand.
—New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
We are struck by what is extra, by the stubborn eccentric thing that can’t be flattened into an obvious meaning or an easy identity category.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flatten
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
Blocks flattened in Jabalia and Rafah In several areas that Israeli forces have controlled for extended periods of time, including Rafah, northern Gaza, and Khan Younis, buildings along entire blocks of cities have been razed altogether.
—Victoria Beaule, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2025
The bombardment has wounded tens of thousands more, flattened thousands of buildings and reduced much of the territory’s infrastructure — and its landscape — to rubble, shrapnel and sand.
—New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
We are struck by what is extra, by the stubborn eccentric thing that can’t be flattened into an obvious meaning or an easy identity category.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flatten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flatten
Verb
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Touch in Sol’s fan-favorite primer smooths skin with a lightweight, velvety finish that blurs the appearance of pores and grips onto makeup in place all day.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Truly, the gadget is that girl — capable of smoothing, de-frizzing, and adding effortless bounce to your locks while granting damage-free curls thanks to Shark’s Coanda technology (which automatically wraps strands around the barrel, saving you the time and hassle of DIYing it).—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The choice to bury dialogue gave each location and line its own sense of importance, even if they are buried in another chapter.—
Ryan Fleming,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
-
However, detailed observations are now making a strong case for an ocean on Mimas buried under 12 to 19 miles (20 to 30 kilometers) of solid ice.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Rough Riders overcame a furious Arlington Heights rally in the third quarter and used a late goal-line stand to shock the Yellow Jackets in a 50-47 thriller.—
Updated October 10,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Johnson’s familiarity is key to bringing audiences close to Kerr and helps the film overcome its potentially alienating storyline.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Lawrence threw a long pass that went off the hands of Jaguars receiver Tim Patrick, then deflected off Chiefs defensive back Trent McDuffie.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
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Pinned inside their own 20-yard line, Lawrence threw a short pass intended for receiver Parker Washington.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
An overlapping full-back who can whip over a hell of a cross.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Pretty sure the border is whipped topping as well.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Trump has also ordered Israel to stop bombing Gaza.—
SAM MEDNICK,
Arkansas Online,
5 Oct. 2025
-
After being heavily bombed in WWII, Birmingham is building a better future out of concrete and steel.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But when a sector dwindles to five companies—or four, or three, or two, or just one—the collective action problem is annihilated by the inevitable coziness among the executives of the incestuous industries.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Oct. 2025
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Toxic, Chappell Roan-belting girlboss… or alien among us sent to annihilate all of living Earth?—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This flowy, breathable midi dress is going to provide coverage when a cool breeze comes through, without leaving you feeling smothered on a warm October day.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
7 Oct. 2025
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Instead, the Cowboys played Cover 2, and that look was smothered, so Love checked the ball down to running back Emanuel Wilson, who tried to make cornerback DaRon Bland miss with an inside move but was tackled for a loss of 1 with the clock running.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flatten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flatten. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
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