flat 1 of 3

adjective

ˈflat How to pronounce flat (audio)
Definition of flatnext
1
as in exact
being neither more nor less than a certain amount, number, or extent industrial growth has been a flat two percent for each of the last four quarters

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest a flat portrayal of Benjamin Franklin in the new TV series

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in plane
having a surface without bends, breaks, or irregularities preferred riding her bike on a flat road

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4
as in stable
having been established and usually not subject to change charged a flat rate for priority shipping

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in simple
having no exceptions or restrictions a flat denial of the charges

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6
as in matte
lacking a surface luster or gloss used a flat paint for the condo's interior walls

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7
as in bland
lacking in qualities that make for spirit and character a dull, flat reading of a story that was really quite exciting

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8
as in thin
lacking in taste or flavor this pasta dish tastes a little flat

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flat

2 of 3

adverb

as in completely
to a full extent or degree I am flat broke this week

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flat

3 of 3

noun

chiefly British
as in apartment
a room or set of rooms in a private house or a block used as a separate dwelling place had to take on a third roommate in order to afford the bigger flat

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective flat contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of flat are even, level, plane, and smooth. While all these words mean "having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities," flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

When would even be a good substitute for flat?

In some situations, the words even and flat are roughly equivalent. However, even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight.

trim the hedge so it is even

When is it sensible to use level instead of flat?

The words level and flat can be used in similar contexts, but level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

Where would plane be a reasonable alternative to flat?

While in some cases nearly identical to flat, plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface.

the plane sides of a crystal

When is smooth a more appropriate choice than flat?

The words smooth and flat are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.

a smooth skating rink

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of flat
Adjective
The airline unveiled new business-class seats for its Airbus A321XLR fleet, including lie-flat beds and privacy doors. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 Hsu’s argument for why the near-monochrome restaurant doesn’t go flat is that the palette itself runs on tension, with the statement-making veined marble behind the point-of-sale area set against rough plaster walls. — Alexis Benveniste, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026
Adverb
Leandro Erlich, Bâtiment, 2004, a building facade laid flat beneath a mirror suspended at a 45-degree angle, 930 x 806 x 1445 cm. — Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026 The president’s formal intelligence briefers were caught flat-footed. — David Blumenthal, STAT, 20 July 2026
Noun
Only Jennifer Lawrence and Zoë Kravitz could rival her covetable collection of minimalist handbags, hats, and ballet flats. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026 For three weeks the world watches cyclists traverse mountains, windswept flats, and chaotic city finishes. — Harvard Business Review, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flat
  1. exact
  2. boring
  3. smooth
  4. stable
  5. simple
  6. matte
  7. bland
  8. thin
Adjective
  • The department has said about 20 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor for actions at Wounded Knee, though the exact number is unclear due to incomplete or unclear records.
    — Meghan O'Brien, States Newsroom, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The piece gets into such details as what Vrabel and one of his assistants had for dinner the night before the game and that the two discussed the exact game scenario that led to the decision to go for two.
    — Mike Semel, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of exact
Adjective
  • Indeed, Hank hurts lots of people in this action-comedy that doesn’t prove boring for a second but has trouble managing its disparate tones.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Ma brings a happy zeal — and an artist’s eye for detail — to creating a sense of wonder, fantasy and futuristic freedom in a world limited by boring, rational constraints.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of boring
Adjective
  • Think of buttery beige as the warmer, golden take on luxury blonde, while creamy beige offers a smoother, more neutral finish.
    — Kat Suico, InStyle, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Whisk in remaining 2 tablespoons butter until melted and smooth.
    — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of smooth
Adjective
  • Dark matter has never been detected, but it is believed to make up 85% of the total matter in the universe and help hold stars and galaxies in stable orbits.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • At the time of transport, two patients were in serious condition and four were in stable condition.
    — Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of stable
Adjective
  • It’s still built with comfort in mind, thanks to the flowy material and stretchy elastic waistbands of the pants and top, but has a simple cut that can be dressed up or down easily.
    — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
  • This converts touch from a simple collision-detection mechanism into an active source of information for aerial navigation, positioning, and grasp control.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of simple
Adjective
  • Its 85-inch QLED display features a highly matte anti-glare screen, so your art and movies look lifelike without annoying reflections.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026
  • The long-wearing formula sets to a semi-matte finish that resists oil and humidity, too.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 26 Nov. 2025
Definition of matte
Adjective
  • Swap a bland look for a bold color, switch up the dominant neutral, or lean into a new metallic finish to complement other hardware in the room.
    — Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Indeed, while Baldessari’s work might seem bland and intellectual at first glance, plenty of pieces in the show put his sense of humor on full display.
    — Douglas Markowitz, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of bland
Adjective
  • Days turn crisp, aspens begin streaking the valley with gold and summer crowds thin in Grand Teton National Park.
    — Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike mainstream fusion projects such as tokamaks, the Texatron does not rely on giant superconducting magnets to hold a thin gas in place for long periods.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of thin

Phrases Containing flat

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flasks
flat
flatboat
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Cite this Entry

“Flat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flat. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flat

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flat

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