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

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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
But even as Moon landings, space shuttles, and reusable rockets seized the headlines, Link, along with a stubborn handful of engineers, explorers, and flat-out dreamers, kept plumbing the ocean instead. — Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 2 July 2026 This was a rabid, partisan home-soil advantage that flat-out bullied the squad into surviving. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 2 July 2026 Even Amazon hasn’t flat-out denied any concerns about the content of the film. — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 25 June 2026 Of course, Ewers wouldn’t flat-out bash the signing. — Miami Herald, 25 June 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
  • The Springboks struggled to reflect their utter domination on the scoreboard and ought to have doubled their seven actual tries by seven different scorers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
  • The problem is Will Ferrell as Lonnie Hawkins, an utter miscalculation of characterization and performance chiefly responsible for turning what could be middling comedy into an unbearable slog.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 16 July 2026
Definition of utter
Adverb
  • The best intentions absolutely go out the window, for almost any writer, when faced with the reality of conceiving an entire world; what to include, what to cut, what is absolutely necessary and what can be left in an older draft.
    — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • The humor — especially in terms of the comedic timing — absolutely sparkles in this production helmed by director Charles Pasternak.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
Definition of absolutely
Adjective
  • The aspiring model was blooming in florals in the sculptural look, which featured a strapless bubble top paired with a sheer floor-length skirt, both of which were embroidered with purple and blue floral designs.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 18 July 2026
  • Yet, in the last two years, this sentiment of sheer doom has slowly and steadily begun to give way to a tentative yet very much present hope.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 18 July 2026
Definition of sheer
Adverb
  • The sound of the hybrid V8 is mighty, and the sound of the upshifts and downshifts is downright violent.
    — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 15 July 2026
  • The club, in search of a lower salary, could get downright negative and personal.
    — Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 13 July 2026
Definition of downright
Adjective
  • Of course, Khan knows that a yacht like Kismet will always represent the absolute apex of the luxury pyramid.
    — Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • After all, its absolute sales are by any measure minuscule, meaning whoever closes the gap first could easily surge ahead.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 July 2026
Definition of absolute
Adverb
  • But just like all other houses in Collins First Nation, her home was completely destroyed by the fires.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Student-athletes may have to adjust to a new coach, a new culture, new expectations and sometimes a completely different philosophy.
    — Timothy Baghurst, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026
Definition of completely
Adjective
  • Crocker, who survived the 1983 bombing of the US embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, said that at this point an unconditional opening of the Strait of Hormuz to all maritime traffic should be the objective.
    — Monica Haider, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Ramp, the corporate card and expense management company backed by Iconiq and valued at $44 billion, is now Senra’s largest advertiser and, by CEO Glyman’s own description, an unconditional backer.
    — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 5 July 2026
Definition of unconditional
Adverb
  • If Vance now recognizes his comments as churlish, lacking in charity, and utterly unlikely to persuade voters, much less witness to the sublime truths of the Christian religion, good for him.
    — Matthew Walther, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
  • But as yesterday’s race showed, the current F1 machinery is utterly ill-suited to this dramatic venue.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 20 July 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 24 Jul. 2026.

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