1
: in a blunt and direct manner : openly
called flat out for revolution—
Nat'l Review
Nat'l Review2
: at top speed or peak performance
the car does 180 m.p.h. flat out
3
usually flat-out
: absolutely, downright
—usually used as an intensive
is just flat-out confusing
Synonyms
Adjective
- absolute
- all-out
- arrant
- blank
- blooming [chiefly British]
- bodacious [Southern & Midland]
- categorical
- categoric
- clean
- complete
- consummate
- crashing
- damn
- damned
- dead
- deadly
- definite
- downright
- dreadful
- fair
- flat
- out-and-out
- outright
- perfect
- plumb
- profound
- pure
- rank
- regular
- sheer
- simple
- stark
- stone
- straight-out
- thorough
- thoroughgoing
- total
- unadulterated
- unalloyed
- unconditional
- unmitigated
- unqualified
- utter
- very
Examples of flat-out in a Sentence
Adjective
regarded their son-in-law as a flat-out loser and let him know it
Adverb
I told him flat out that I have no intention of marrying him.
We asked for more time but they refused us flat out.
The car does 180 mph flat out.
Recent Examples on the WebMatthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 21 July 2024
Even as an incisive look at the racist transgressions within the posh school of Winchester, the film is flat-out funny, and buoyed by its winning ensemble.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 16 July 2024
Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 3 May 2024
Sunday’s game in Detroit should help answer this question: Was Tampa’s win over Philly more about a Bucs team finding its stride at the right time or about an Eagles team that flat out forgot how to tackle?
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flat-out 
Adjective
Some work for the media, and others are just flat-out yahoos with a cellphone connection and a full tank of gas.
—Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 21 July 2024
Even as an incisive look at the racist transgressions within the posh school of Winchester, the film is flat-out funny, and buoyed by its winning ensemble.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 16 July 2024
Adverb
Just as important, Forsyth said, is not to flat out pass on the chance to be in the wedding without first calculating your own budget and talking to the bride about your concerns.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 3 May 2024
Sunday’s game in Detroit should help answer this question: Was Tampa’s win over Philly more about a Bucs team finding its stride at the right time or about an Eagles team that flat out forgot how to tackle?
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flat-out
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flat-out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to flat-out
Dictionary Entries Near flat-out
Cite this Entry
“Flat-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flat-out. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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