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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
Fans expected second-year quarterback Caleb Williams and new head coach Ben Johnson to spark a turnaround, but so far the offense has been inconsistent, and the defense has been flat-out bad.
—Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
After that, Redford typically played men who were obsessive, arrogant, uncompromising, or just hard to reach, but rarely a person who was just flat-out bad at something.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
In his third season, the always-inconsistent Volpe has been flat-out bad.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flat-out
Adjective
But something is definitely afoul; the corpses of pilgrims wound in silk clutter the hollows and even the ones that still live are either sad or flat-out nuts.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
Fans expected second-year quarterback Caleb Williams and new head coach Ben Johnson to spark a turnaround, but so far the offense has been inconsistent, and the defense has been flat-out bad.
—Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
After that, Redford typically played men who were obsessive, arrogant, uncompromising, or just hard to reach, but rarely a person who was just flat-out bad at something.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
In his third season, the always-inconsistent Volpe has been flat-out bad.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flat-out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flat-out
Adjective
-
Much will soon be made of the movie’s epic, final-act twist, but despite such swerves, the film maintains its utter ambiguity to the end, giving heart to the lostness that so many across ideological spectrums now feel.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
-
His extraordinary journey from utter isolation to human connection is revealed in the Oscar-contending documentary Ghost Boy, directed by Rodney Ascher (Room 237, A Glitch in the Matrix), winner of the Audience Award at SXSW in the Visions category.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
That is absolutely not my intention.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
These stories are important and should absolutely be shared, and hearing people speak openly about these difficult topics can help others feel less alone.—
Lindsay Lowe,
Parents,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Critics argue the ballroom's sheer scale—twice the size of the main residence—will fundamentally alter the White House's historic proportions and architectural balance.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The genocidal evil of the Nazis was, and is, often accorded a type of 'genius' - an idea that often persists in public discourse as a way to account for the sheer malice in the planning and execution of the Holocaust as something exceptional.—
NPR,
NPR,
11 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
The Wild had won once in their previous nine games and had been downright awful in front of their home crowd this season.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Now, the film is a downright classic, centering on three haggard witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy) who go on a hilarious misadventure while trying to remain young forever.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And many of us, sadly, have been in a state of absolute despair while grieving someone, which is its own type of temporary insanity.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Bad news for Harbour—each track is an absolute earworm.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
The Mets struggled down the stretch and missed the postseason completely despite having one of the highest payrolls in the league.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Beach players stepped on the baseline three times in the first half and another, trying to avoid a shot blocker, lofted a runner completely over the backboard in the second.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Days later the president handed a full and unconditional pardon to Changpeng Zhao, the former CEO of Binance, who pleaded guilty to money laundering charges.—
NPR,
NPR,
11 Nov. 2025
-
As Russia’s closest ally, China would not break with Moscow by endorsing an unconditional cease-fire, but it, too, would be discomfited by having to explain this choice.—
Thomas Wright,
The Atlantic,
11 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
The defining image of this exact fixture back in February was Szoboszlai lying face-down on the pitch at full time of Liverpool’s 2-0 away win, utterly spent.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Mamdani, 34, is a charismatic socialist who has limited experience in the private sector and seems utterly unconcerned about his guiding philosophy’s long track record of creating misery.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flat-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flat-out. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share