flatten

verb

flat·ten | \ ˈfla-tᵊn

flattened; flattening\ ˈflat-niŋ ,

ˈfla-tə- \

Definition of flatten

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

Other Words from flatten Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about flatten

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Synonyms & Antonyms for flatten

Synonyms

even, level, plane, smooth, smoothen

Antonyms

rough, roughen

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 on the Web

Sales by value are beginning to stagnate and property investment is flattening. — WSJ, "Chinese Consumers Curb Spending, Likely Deepening Slowdown," 3 Jan. 2019 The gulf-side town of Mexico Beach, Florida, was all but flattened from the onslaught. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "What we learned from the disasters that hammered the US in 2018," 27 Dec. 2018 When Thomas was later confirmed to the Supreme Court, the countless women who’d watched Hill—and maybe Hill herself—were demoralized, flattened even. — Celeste Ng, Glamour, "Celeste Ng Reflects on Our Era of Rage—and Illuminates the Path Forward.," 21 Dec. 2018 But be careful not to pull too hard—that’ll just flatten everything out. 7. — Amy Marturana, SELF, "17 Styling Tricks Women with Fine, Flat Hair Need to Know," 21 Dec. 2018 The cutting and flattening tears out fibers and leaves divots, leading to plenty of sanding—some by machine and much by hand. — Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, "The Man, the Wood, and the River," 1 Dec. 2018 Her Lisbeth exhibits little in the way of personality beyond a dour demeanor and flattened line deliveries. — Soren Andersen, The Seattle Times, "‘The Girl in the Spider’s Web’: Lisbeth Salander gets trapped in a conventional spy thriller," 6 Nov. 2018 Repeat the process until all of the butter cubes have been flattened. — Michaela Bechler, Vogue, "Be Ambitious This Thanksgiving: 3 Bold Recipes From One of L.A.’s Most Talked About Restaurants," 2 Nov. 2018 In Mosul's old city, a mess of flattened concrete and twisted wire, the prospect of rebuilding is daunting. — Sophia Jones, Marie Claire, "The Truth About The Wives of ISIS," 4 Oct. 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.