as in died
to stop living
the patient was fading fast, and doctors expected him to flatline before the night was over
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 flatlined
After flipping a first-possession interception by linebacker Zack Baun into a short-field touchdown, the Eagles offense flatlined under first-time offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo.
—
Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
After administering chest compressions — during which Bennett flatlined — a doctor asked if the couple would be willing to put their son on life support.
—Greta Bjornson, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025
Getty Images That upward trajectory stands in contrast to the United States, where life expectancy virtually flatlined during the 2010s and even dipped slightly on occasions during the 2010s—a trend blamed in large part on a surge in deaths from overdoses from the synthetic opioid fentanyl.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Multiple nations now have annihilation-level nuclear assets, and yet, even as the threat continues escalating, public concern has flatlined.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Our life expectancy has flatlined.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 17 Aug. 2025
Price growth has continued to pick up, employment growth in manufacturing has flatlined and other non-manufacturing sectors are feeling the pinch.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2025
Industrywide hiring has flatlined, and analysts expect brick-and-mortar operators to close more locations this year.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 17 Mar. 2025
Three college students helped save a fellow student who flatlined three times, according to reports.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
After administering chest compressions — during which Bennett flatlined — a doctor asked if the couple would be willing to put their son on life support.
—Greta Bjornson, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025
Getty Images That upward trajectory stands in contrast to the United States, where life expectancy virtually flatlined during the 2010s and even dipped slightly on occasions during the 2010s—a trend blamed in large part on a surge in deaths from overdoses from the synthetic opioid fentanyl.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Multiple nations now have annihilation-level nuclear assets, and yet, even as the threat continues escalating, public concern has flatlined.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Our life expectancy has flatlined.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 17 Aug. 2025
Price growth has continued to pick up, employment growth in manufacturing has flatlined and other non-manufacturing sectors are feeling the pinch.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2025
Industrywide hiring has flatlined, and analysts expect brick-and-mortar operators to close more locations this year.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 17 Mar. 2025
Three college students helped save a fellow student who flatlined three times, according to reports.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flatlined
Verb
-
In deference to the late, great Ryne Sandberg, who died from acute prostate cancer this past July at 65, this column about the current Cubs-Padres Wild Card Series at Wrigley Field is for him.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Police in Bavaria, the state where Munich is located, said the suspect was believed to be a 57-year-old German citizen who, according to preliminary findings, had died by suicide near a lake in northern Munich.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Onscreen, a bridezilla sent an equivalent table soaring through a banquet hall, felling at least one chandelier.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
-
They’re supposed to do fine in extreme heat and snow, though residents of other cities have had to rescue them when they’ve been felled by weather.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The role of Doug McBride, who was played byJason Graham, perished in a car crash.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Almost all 19 of the people who died in the blaze perished in the neighborhood.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flatlined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flatlined. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share