as in dying
to stop living
the patient was fading fast, and doctors expected him to flatline before the night was over
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flatlining
Neuromodulation is necessary for keeping the brain’s activity level in a functional range, preventing it from either flatlining or erupting in seizures.
—
Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
The episode ends with Monty flatlining in the hospital as Cami and their daughters cry for him.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025
The rest are flatlining or folding entirely.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Despite a global pandemic flatlining the music industry, Hynes contributed to albums by Lorde and Turnstile, crafted film scores for Passing and Master Gardener, and just last year penned some original music for the Broadway play Job.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
The episode ends with Monty flatlining in the hospital as Cami and their daughters cry for him.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025
The rest are flatlining or folding entirely.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Despite a global pandemic flatlining the music industry, Hynes contributed to albums by Lorde and Turnstile, crafted film scores for Passing and Master Gardener, and just last year penned some original music for the Broadway play Job.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flatlining
Verb
-
Birds infected with the virus may exhibit symptoms common to colds and flu in humans or may have no apparent symptoms before dying from the disease.—
Joe Brandt,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Elevated sections followed by flat lines indicate the heart muscle is not getting enough blood flow and may be dying.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Be cautious of ice accumulating on power lines or tree branches, which can lead to snapping and falling hazards.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flatlining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flatlining. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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