flat 1 of 3

adjective

ˈflat How to pronounce flat (audio)
Definition of flatnext
1
as in exact
being neither more nor less than a certain amount, number, or extent industrial growth has been a flat two percent for each of the last four quarters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest a flat portrayal of Benjamin Franklin in the new TV series

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in plane
having a surface without bends, breaks, or irregularities preferred riding her bike on a flat road

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in stable
having been established and usually not subject to change charged a flat rate for priority shipping

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in simple
having no exceptions or restrictions a flat denial of the charges

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in matte
lacking a surface luster or gloss used a flat paint for the condo's interior walls

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in bland
lacking in qualities that make for spirit and character a dull, flat reading of a story that was really quite exciting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in thin
lacking in taste or flavor this pasta dish tastes a little flat

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flat

2 of 3

adverb

as in completely
to a full extent or degree I am flat broke this week

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flat

3 of 3

noun

chiefly British
as in apartment
a room or set of rooms in a private house or a block used as a separate dwelling place had to take on a third roommate in order to afford the bigger flat

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective flat contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of flat are even, level, plane, and smooth. While all these words mean "having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities," flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

When would even be a good substitute for flat?

In some situations, the words even and flat are roughly equivalent. However, even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight.

trim the hedge so it is even

When is it sensible to use level instead of flat?

The words level and flat can be used in similar contexts, but level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

Where would plane be a reasonable alternative to flat?

While in some cases nearly identical to flat, plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface.

the plane sides of a crystal

When is smooth a more appropriate choice than flat?

The words smooth and flat are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.

a smooth skating rink

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
Adjective
The city is replacing its old flat-rate tax, a token levy of up to 200 yen a night, with a 3 percent fee on the room charge. — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 Stock stayed largely flat despite the blowout earnings (as is proving a bit of a theme this year among AI firms). — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 17 July 2026
Adverb
In 2020, her family confirmed that she was found dead in her London flat after taking her own life. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026 Candidates and consultants who treat last week as an aberration, rather than a preview, will be caught flat-footed again. — Bradley Honan, New York Daily News, 28 June 2026
Noun
Below, the five Birkenstock flats guaranteed to be spotted all over the city this summer. — Selene Oliva, Vogue, 16 July 2026 Woods’ eclectic shoe style also includes styles like Maison Margiela Tabi ballet flats and orange ostrich-print thong sandals from her own brand Woods by Jordan, which launched an inclusive footwear line last year. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for flat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flat
  1. exact
  2. boring
  3. smooth
  4. stable
  5. simple
  6. matte
  7. bland
  8. thin
Adjective
  • But there have been no exact numbers of how many missiles and drones Iran had when the war began or how many have since been used or destroyed.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • Authorities know where the boat sank but have not yet pinpointed its exact location on the bay floor.
    — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 16 July 2026
Definition of exact
Adjective
  • The couple just stole $10 million — a theft consequential enough to set the entire story in motion, yet also too boring to depict outside a brief flashback?
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
  • The boring games are usually like watching paint dry and their very dedicated fans are only there for the massive parties.
    — Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2026
Definition of boring
Adjective
  • Ahead, Vogue’s edit of the best ultrasonic skin scrubbers to help decongest pores, lift away buildup, and leave skin looking smoother.
    — Iman Balagam, Vogue, 15 July 2026
  • The process for acquiring this kind of visa in the country is clear and smooth, just like the beloved waters surrounding its nearly 80 major islands.
    — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 14 July 2026
Definition of smooth
Adjective
  • Authorities said one of 10 survivors was discharged from the hospital while the other nine were in stable condition.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • There’s also a beach, a floating water park, a horse stable, and a 27-hole, 81-par disc golf course that hosts the annual New Mexico Disc Golf Championships.
    — Allison Savage Bates, Denver Post, 19 July 2026
Definition of stable
Adjective
  • With the bulge-bracket firms the clear winners, choosing a VC has become simpler.
    — Robert Frank, CNBC, 14 July 2026
  • The original historic rooms feature heavy drapery, regal-looking bed frames, and simple baths.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 July 2026
Definition of simple
Adjective
  • Its 85-inch QLED display features a highly matte anti-glare screen, so your art and movies look lifelike without annoying reflections.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026
  • The long-wearing formula sets to a semi-matte finish that resists oil and humidity, too.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 26 Nov. 2025
Definition of matte
Adjective
  • Outside of the Timbo tracks, though, Jay sometimes goes autopilot on bland synth-heavy beats by Swizz Beatz, DJ Clue, and Duro.
    — Al Shipley, SPIN, 14 July 2026
  • Emma’s resistance to the bland wholesomeness of recovery spaces speaks to a familiar cultural trope across media, in films and television shows; that sobriety is where flamboyance goes to die.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
Definition of bland
Adjective
  • It is composed of extremely thin layers of iron selenide, or FeSe, which are embedded repeatedly throughout a much larger three-dimensional crystal.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 July 2026
  • Those areas are likely be less impressive in the thin air of the vehicle’s namesake town.
    — James Raia, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
Definition of thin

Phrases Containing flat

Browse Nearby Words

flasks
flat
flatboat
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flat. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on flat

Nglish: Translation of flat for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of raffish

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All