1
as in smoothing
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 whipping
to defeat by a large margin
if you don't understand the rules, you're going to get flattened when you try to play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flattening
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
According to fabric care expert Alicia Sokolowski, ironing is ideal for creating crisp creases, flattening heavy wrinkles, and shaping structured garments like dress shirts, cotton, linen, or denim.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 19 Feb. 2026
But the film’s indifference to questions of authenticity ends flattening one of the story’s most uncomfortable and essential truths.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Compression packing cubes, in particular, are critical for saving space and flattening clothes as much as possible.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, far from trending toward retail domination, US e-commerce growth is flattening.
—Greg Petro, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Many tech companies have spent recent years flattening their structure by cutting middle management at a record rate.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
Results were flattening, automatic promotion hopes were fading and, in the winter window, striker Emmanuel Latte Lath was sold to Atlanta United of MLS.
—Michael Walker, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Winter dressing has a way of flattening personal style.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
Tory Johnson, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
According to fabric care expert Alicia Sokolowski, ironing is ideal for creating crisp creases, flattening heavy wrinkles, and shaping structured garments like dress shirts, cotton, linen, or denim.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 19 Feb. 2026
But the film’s indifference to questions of authenticity ends flattening one of the story’s most uncomfortable and essential truths.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Compression packing cubes, in particular, are critical for saving space and flattening clothes as much as possible.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, far from trending toward retail domination, US e-commerce growth is flattening.
—Greg Petro, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Many tech companies have spent recent years flattening their structure by cutting middle management at a record rate.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
Results were flattening, automatic promotion hopes were fading and, in the winter window, striker Emmanuel Latte Lath was sold to Atlanta United of MLS.
—Michael Walker, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Winter dressing has a way of flattening personal style.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flattening
Verb
-
They’re made with the brand’s signature 360-degree smoothing panel design and gentle compression for comfy, easy-to-wear bottoms.—
Melony Forcier,
InStyle,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The Levi's 318 Shaping Wide-leg Jeans feature a smoothing panel that streamlines the fit through the waist, balanced by a wide-leg silhouette.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Taylor also weighed in on keeping her cool on stage when things go wrong, such as embracing her wig flying off and whipping it around her head, the proper form for double-dutching and having patience in Hollywood.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Though both storms are similar — with a major storm system lingering over the region for over a day and whipping the region with merciless hurricane-level winds, driving inch after inch of wet snow — what made the 1978 storm so devastating was the apparent suddenness of its arrival.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
All the Little Animals is a small movie about a young man (Bale) with brain damage suffered in a car accident who comes across a gentle older man (John Hurt) who spends his days burying animals killed on the side of the road.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2026
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This prevents smells, reduces the risk of pests, and speeds up breakdown when burying the peels.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Ensuring the power supply is reliable, as well as overcoming regulation, will also be key, Hernandez said.—
April Roach,Gaelle Legrand,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Having won the competition set by her late, estranged father Alexandre (Stanley Weber) to determine the heir to his wine empire, Camille Leger (Fleur Geffrier) took an important step toward overcoming Alexandre’s toxic emotional legacy.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Israel has also been relentlessly bombing Lebanon, with the intention of disarming or wiping out Hezbollah, a paramilitary group backed by Iran which fired rockets at Israel earlier in the war.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2026
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The gatherings came in the wake of the United States and Israel launching a joint war against Iran at the end of last month, bombing several sites and killing high-ranking officials in the country’s government, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With 52 seconds left, Northfield junior Paris Taylor swooped in for an offensive rebound and a put-back, trimming the Falcons’ lead to 49-47.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The Bee Cave City Council on Tuesday approved changes to the city’s tree trimming ordinance that would allow owners to trim trees on their property without a permit.—
Naina Srivastava,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With Brubaker already capable of throwing multiple innings, Lucchesi’s presence in this specific bullpen may be a bit redundant.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
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The incident is the latest in a years-long and growing trend of concertgoers throwing objects at artists during live performances.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
These weeds require control to prevent upsetting the entire turf ecosystem.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
-
That year, Maria Sharapova, 17 and fresh off upsetting Serena Williams to win Wimbledon a few months before, lost 6-0, 6-0 in the semifinals to American Lindsay Davenport.—
Douglas Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flattening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flattening. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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