flatten

verb flat·ten \ ˈfla-tᵊn \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

Examples: flatten in a Sentence

Definition of flatten

flattened; flattening play \ˈflat-niŋ, ˈfla-tə-\

transitive verb

: to make flat: such as

a : to make level or smooth

b : to knock down; also : to defeat decisively

c : to make dull or uninspired —often used with out

d : to make lusterless

flatten paint

e : to stabilize especially at a lower level

intransitive verb

: to become flat or flatter: such as

a : to become dull or spiritless

b : to extend in or into a flat position or form

c : to become uniform or stabilized often at a new lower level —usually used with out

—

flattener

play \ˈflat-nər, ˈfla-tə-\ noun

See flatten defined for English-language learners

See flatten defined for kids

Examples of flatten in a Sentence

Dozens of houses were flattened by the tornado.
The boxer was flattened in the seventh round.
The team got flattened in the first round of the play-offs.
Prices are expected to flatten after the holiday shopping season.

Recent Examples of flatten from the Web

America’s economy is sizzling and the Federal Reserve is raising rates, but growth has flattened off elsewhere.

— The Economist, "Investors are gorging on American assets," 12 July 2018
Likewise, Seasons 52 was once a high-growth brand for Darden, but sales growth has flattened and even dipped into the negative in the past two years.

— kyle arnold, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Darden replacing Cheddar's, Seasons 52 leaders after declining sales," 11 July 2018
The $70 billion industry, which is dominated by a handful of American and European companies, has seen sales flatten in wealthy countries in recent years, as more women embrace breast-feeding.

— andrew jacobs, New York Times, "U.S. Opposition to Breast-Feeding Resolution Stuns World Health Officials," 8 July 2018
In the eurozone, this measure of inflation has remained subdued, flattening at 1.4% for June.

— jon sindreu, WSJ, "Investors Can’t Get Enough German Bonds," 4 July 2018
Others have looked at the same data and concluded that the death risk flattens out in one’s ultra-golden years, and therefore that human lifespan does not have an upper threshold.

— elie dolgin, Scientific American, "There's No Limit to Longevity, Says Study Reviving Human Life Span Debate," 1 July 2018
This was before the host nation flattened Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the tournament opener for its first World Cup victory since 2002.

— phil rosenthal, chicagotribune.com, "Russia's rout in Fox World Cup opener: 'This is probably exactly what Mr. Putin needed'," 14 June 2018
Noah had brain surgery on Oct. 26 to remove the abscess, which had flattened the front of his brain, shifted it and put pressure on the rest.

— kaila white, azcentral, "After salmonella nearly killed their toddler, Glendale parents sue Foster Farms – and win," 11 June 2018
North of Jasper and the park, the mountains flatten out a bit.

— scott mcmurren, Anchorage Daily News, "Banff, Jasper and the incredible sights you’ll see driving up the Alaska-Canadian Highway," 10 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flatten.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of flatten

1630

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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flatten Synonyms

FLATTEN Defined for English Language Learners

flatten

verb

Definition of flatten for English Language Learners

: to make (something) flat or flatter
: to become flat or flatter
: to knock down (something or someone)

FLATTEN Defined for Kids

flatten

verb flat·ten \ ˈfla-tən \

Definition of flatten for Students

flattened; flattening

: to make or become flat She flattened herself against the wall.

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See words that rhyme with flatten Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for flatten Spanish Central: Translation of flatten Nglish: Translation of flatten for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of flatten for Arabic speakers

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flatten

Definition of flatten

flattener

Examples of flatten in a Sentence

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First Known Use of flatten

flatten Synonyms

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FLATTEN Defined for English Language Learners

flatten

Definition of flatten for English Language Learners

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flatten

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