flattened; flattening
ˈflat-niŋ 
ˈfla-tə-
: to make flat
flatten the dough into a disk
The dog flattened its ears.
: such as
a
: to make level or smooth
flattened the papers
b
: to knock down
houses flattened by the tornado
also
: to defeat decisively
got flattened in the first round of playoffs
c
: to make dull or uninspired
… small changes … that flatten a writer's style …—
John Gross
—often used with outJohn GrossIn thus flattening out a complicated story, the book misses an opportunity …—Tony Judt
Tony Judt
d
: to make lusterless
flatten paint
e
: to stabilize especially at a lower level
a candidate promising to flatten interest rates
: 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
prices flattening out
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
Young stars form within collapsing clouds of gas and dust, which flatten into broad protoplanetary disks where material gradually clumps into larger bodies.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 5 Dec. 2025
The Philadelphia Federal Reserve’s Beige Book in November documented an economy in decline, saying that hiring has flattened, warehouse workers are getting fewer hours on the job, inflationary pressures are coming from tariffs and sales of existing homes are decreasing.
—Josh Boak, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2025
Dart attempted to run the ball on a second down before ultimately getting flattened near the first down marker by New England linebacker Christian Elliss, in attempt to pick up a few extra yards.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
Transfer the remaining purée to a freezer bag, flatten it and label and date the bag before freezing.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flatten
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 5 Dec. 2025
The Philadelphia Federal Reserve’s Beige Book in November documented an economy in decline, saying that hiring has flattened, warehouse workers are getting fewer hours on the job, inflationary pressures are coming from tariffs and sales of existing homes are decreasing.
—Josh Boak, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2025
Dart attempted to run the ball on a second down before ultimately getting flattened near the first down marker by New England linebacker Christian Elliss, in attempt to pick up a few extra yards.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
Transfer the remaining purée to a freezer bag, flatten it and label and date the bag before freezing.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flatten
Cite this Entry
“Flatten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flatten. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share