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
Our modern dating culture has completely distorted that distinction and our relationships are flatlining because of it.
—
Sabrina Romanoff, CNBC, 5 June 2026
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
Sabrina Romanoff, CNBC, 5 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flatlining
Verb
-
Far from being a dying way of life, as many people think, the Amish population is growing rapidly — doubling roughly every 20 years.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
3 June 2026
-
Their mother, whom Jerry has been looking after, is dying, and there are medical bills that need to be straightened out.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Like India, Indonesia has been wrestling with a falling currency, and on May 20, the country's central bank raised its policy interest rates by a larger-than-expected 50 basis points.—
Sri Jegarajah,Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
-
Anyone who likes keeping the balcony doors open at night and falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves should enjoy the Ocean Rooms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flatlining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flatlining. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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