1
as in to smooth
to make free from breaks, curves, or bumps
flattened out the wrinkled paper before attempting to trace the pattern
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bury
to defeat by a large margin
if you don't understand the rules, you're going to get flattened when you try to play
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flatten
The Embrace Series Insoles are crafted to mimic the cloud-like feel of memory foam without flattening over time, working to maintain continuous adaptability while rebounding with each step.
—
Tory Johnson, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
Seasons in the Hindu Kush—Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter,2009–11, has the spectator stand above crushed pots as if surveying terrain from above—the godlike perspective of the Mercator projection, where mountains become miniature and geography flattens into a navigable surface.
—Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Anticipating attacks on Iran’s top leaders, the regime reportedly flattened the military’s chain of command to push decision making to lower-ranking officers.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026
Ultimately, Jesse Jackson’s story is the quintessentially American one — a narrative of magnificent contradictions that refuse to be flattened into a simple, polished eulogy.
—Glenn Eden, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flatten
Tory Johnson, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
Seasons in the Hindu Kush—Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter,2009–11, has the spectator stand above crushed pots as if surveying terrain from above—the godlike perspective of the Mercator projection, where mountains become miniature and geography flattens into a navigable surface.
—Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Anticipating attacks on Iran’s top leaders, the regime reportedly flattened the military’s chain of command to push decision making to lower-ranking officers.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026
Ultimately, Jesse Jackson’s story is the quintessentially American one — a narrative of magnificent contradictions that refuse to be flattened into a simple, polished eulogy.
—Glenn Eden, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flatten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flatten
Verb
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Another said the product is effective at smoothing lines without aggravating sensitive skin.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
3 Mar. 2026
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Simultaneously, a conditioning complex of peptides, ceramides, encapsulated hyaluronic acid, and botanical ingredients works to smooth, cushion, and replenish moisture where it’s most needed.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Like your mother’s complacency, which was probably buried in your gene code somewhere.—
Addie Citchens,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
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Said to be the first person buried on the hill that became Oakwood Cemetery, the city's oldest, he was killed while traveling between Bastrop and Austin.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Sheriff Garry McFadden overcame a litany of scandals and a criminal investigation on Tuesday night, fending off challengers in the race for sheriff, according to unofficial election results.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Mar. 2026
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The Green Wave overcame a six-point deficit in the fourth quarter and forced OT on Younger’s baseline drive with 20 seconds remaining and Sauls’ layup with 10 seconds left.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Trump’s increasing willingness to use overwhelming military force to pursue American interests abroad throws that calculus into question.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Mar. 2026
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The Americans walked 17 times and forced Brazil to throw 221 pitches.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The texture is thick and whipped, easy to glide on post-shower, and will help keep skin moisturized for hours.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
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Fresh fruit is tossed with a decadent mixture of cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and whipped topping that is ready in just 10 minutes.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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His words mark yet another rift between Washington and Europe and highlight the delicate balance European leaders have attempted to strike since the US and Israel began bombing Iran on Saturday.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
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Bill Clinton mobilized troops for NATO’s mission to bomb Yugoslavia, and around three in five Americans approved.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Yes, Riverdale Ridge annihilated every single Rocky Mountain Basketball league opponent and was hardly tested in state.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2026
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So, if the president succeeds in 'annihilating,' in his words, the Iranian navy, then long-term prospects of closure should decline, and that should increase the likelihood that ships will start sailing again.—
DAVID McHUGH,
Arkansas Online,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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On the latter, Bollywood royalty Asha Bhosle, 92, sings in Hindi of setting sail to the other side, but Albarn smothers her beneath heraldic bursts of Disneyfied psych-pop.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
27 Feb. 2026
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The series centers on Bode (Max Thieriot), an ex-con who finds redemption and purpose while smothering flames with the Cal Fire program.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flatten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flatten. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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