flat-out 1 of 2

adjective

ˈflat-ˌau̇t How to pronounce flat-out (audio)
Definition of flat-outnext
as in utter
having no exceptions or restrictions regarded their son-in-law as a flat-out loser and let him know it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flat-out

2 of 2

adverb

as in absolutely

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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-out
Adjective
This is on top of Perez Hilton and plenty of other sites (Gawker included) that would just flat-out insult people, draw nasty things on their pictures, and just generally malign them. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026 Turn 4 is located on this street and can be taken practically flat-out. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Stanford, after beating Hawaii in a Week 0 opener, got flat-out steamrolled in this ACC matchup. — Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026 The Cannes crowd flat-out loved this tweaking of an old cinematic trope. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flat-out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flat-out
  1. utter
  2. absolutely
  3. sheer
  4. downright
  5. absolute
  6. completely
  7. unconditional
  8. utterly
Adjective
  • An underappreciated and entirely pleasing aspect of the Republicans’ demolishment on Tuesday was the utter failure of their attempt to preserve a GOP House majority through outlandish gerrymandering.
    — Robert Gebelhoff, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The film became such a cultural phenomenon that its title is now practically synonymous with parties that descend into utter chaos.
    — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of utter
Adverb
  • The Nigerian tower made her presence felt early in the game when a Charlotte player went up for a simple put-back only to get absolutely stuffed.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Nothing has been easy, so nothing, absolutely nothing, can be assumed at this stage, Giannis Antetokounmpo or no Giannis Antetokounmpo.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of absolutely
Adjective
  • The grand reveal of the MTPeak One-All managed to grab the spotlight with its looks, performance and sheer quality.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Even beyond lyrics, the sheer tone of a voice can communicate emotion so differently.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of sheer
Adverb
  • The elf's adventures were already lengthy and satisfying in 2D on the NES, Super NES, and Game Boy, but his debut on the N64 was downright epic.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The piece is an exuberantly hopeful and unabashedly patriotic look at America and its possibilities that seems downright defiant in such a deeply cynical and divided time in the nation’s history.
    — Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of downright
Adjective
  • Mac and Cheese Bites An absolute icon in the Trader Joe’s frozen aisle.
    — Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Arkansas football is at the second lowest level of its history with the absolute lowest being the two years with Chad Morris, who Yurachek announced his hiring and became his boss.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of absolute
Adverb
  • The 15 mm-wide blade hidden within went completely through his right eye and through his brain, with the tip of the blade hitting the top of his skull.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Like Sir Stirling’s 300 SLR, the McLaren version is completely open with no windshield or side windows—only small glass wind deflectors for driver and passenger were added to deflect the bugs.
    — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of completely
Adjective
  • El-Sayed has called Israel’s war in Gaza a genocide and called for an end to unconditional military aid.
    — Erin Cox, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2026
  • In the primary, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee courted Ford for a possible endorsement but ultimately found policy differences with him, Ford said, including his declining to support unconditional military aid to Israel.
    — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of unconditional
Adverb
  • Instead, this is a song about how being utterly enamored turns the person who’s crushing into a maniac.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
  • And leave it to Rih to make a heather gray sweatsuit—in this case, a crewneck and cuffed drawstring sweatpants—look utterly glamorous.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of utterly

Browse Nearby Words

flatness
flat-out
flats
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Cite this Entry

“Flat-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flat-out. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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