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
Anonymity meant to protect actually flattens their experience.
—Stephanie A, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
This promotes pelvic tuck, rolling the pelvis backward and flattening the lumbar curve, compounding the problem of poor lumbar support as well as a feeling of pain and numbness in the legs.
—New Atlas, 16 Dec. 2025
The initial symptoms may present as constipation; poor feeding; a drooping eyelid; sluggish pupils; flattened facial expression; diminished suck and gage reflexes; weak and altered cry and respiratory difficulty, the CDC adds.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2025
Using an ice cream scoop, drop the latke batter in the oil and flatten gently with a spatula.
—Janna Oberdorf, Parents, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flatten
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Stephanie A, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
This promotes pelvic tuck, rolling the pelvis backward and flattening the lumbar curve, compounding the problem of poor lumbar support as well as a feeling of pain and numbness in the legs.
—New Atlas, 16 Dec. 2025
The initial symptoms may present as constipation; poor feeding; a drooping eyelid; sluggish pupils; flattened facial expression; diminished suck and gage reflexes; weak and altered cry and respiratory difficulty, the CDC adds.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2025
Using an ice cream scoop, drop the latke batter in the oil and flatten gently with a spatula.
—Janna Oberdorf, Parents, 15 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 21 Dec. 2025.
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