flatten

verb

flat·ten ˈfla-tᵊn

flattened; flattening ˈflat-niŋ

ˈfla-tə-

Synonyms of flatten next

transitive verb

: to make flat: such as

: to make level or smooth

: to knock down

also : to defeat decisively

: to make dull or uninspired

—often used with out

: to make lusterless

flatten paint

: to stabilize especially at a lower level

intransitive verb

: to become flat or flatter: such as

: to become dull or spiritless

: to extend in or into a flat position or form

: to become uniform or stabilized often at a new lower level

—usually used with out

flattener

ˈflat-nər

ˈfla-tə-

noun

Example Sentences

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 on the Web Reluctant consumers have caused sales at Target Corp. to flatten for the first time after six years of sales growth, even as the Minneapolis retailer continues to see more shoppers walk through its doors and visit its website. —

Nicole Norfleet, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2023 In Game 6, the Celtics trailed with less than five minutes left and their championship dreams were on the verge of being flattened. —

Adam Himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, 12 May 2023 The warhead is actually derived from the existing W76 warhead, each of which is large enough to flatten a city. —

Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 1 May 2023 This product utilizes benzoyl peroxide at a 10% concentration to flatten and shrink the size of your pimple while reducing redness. —

Shannon Ullman, Verywell Health, 30 Apr. 2023 For a little more money, a person can choose what’s known as a down perm, which relaxes and flattens stubborn strands that stick out, creating a smoother appearance. —

Wilson Wong, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2023 Even the character's habit of snacking on creepy crawlies has been flattened into mere comic-book lore; the bugs are like spinach for Popeye, a means to a face-bashing end. —

A.a. Dowd, Chron, 12 Apr. 2023 Next possession, Hansbrough took a pass moving to the basket and Haslem flattened him. —

Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2023 Neighborhoods and commercial businesses were flattened. —

Aya Elamroussi, CNN, 1 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flatten.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.