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
Winners of previous Cap10Ks have often made their move on Veteran’s Drive, a downhill stretch that runs under MoPac before flattening out alongside Austin High School.
—
Brom Hoban, Austin American Statesman, 12 Apr. 2026
In effect, the hydrograph is flattening.
—Imtiaz Rangwala, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
For years, companies have been flattening their organizations and cutting down middle management.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
Experts say the Treasury yield curve is flattening, though, which could mean longer-term rates will start to win out in the near future.
—Aly J Yale, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
In effect, the hydrograph is flattening.
—Imtiaz Rangwala, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
That pacing felt right for top-down and lowers the barrier to entry without flattening the experience.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
What’s most gratifying is the extent to which the filmmakers sought practical solutions and physical sets rather than relying solely on the digital toolbox or flattening the action with endless green-screen sequences.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
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
Brom Hoban, Austin American Statesman, 12 Apr. 2026
In effect, the hydrograph is flattening.
—Imtiaz Rangwala, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
For years, companies have been flattening their organizations and cutting down middle management.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
Experts say the Treasury yield curve is flattening, though, which could mean longer-term rates will start to win out in the near future.
—Aly J Yale, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
In effect, the hydrograph is flattening.
—Imtiaz Rangwala, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
That pacing felt right for top-down and lowers the barrier to entry without flattening the experience.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
What’s most gratifying is the extent to which the filmmakers sought practical solutions and physical sets rather than relying solely on the digital toolbox or flattening the action with endless green-screen sequences.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flattening
Verb
-
Wire-free and closure-free construction for comfort with wide smoothing back and sides.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Not to mention, they’re made with 360-degree tummy control, waist-definition, and a back-smoothing design.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Subtlety never stood a chance, with Cardi leaning fully into the chaos all night — chopping the air with her arms, sticking out her tongue, whipping her head, contorting her body, dropping into splits and backbends without warning.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Apr. 2026
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State’s attorneys allege the pair engaged in a long-term pattern of mental and physical abuse of young Markell, including whipping him with a belt.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Architectonics takes this murky style and plunges it to a new deep, incorporating the bronze gong and chime sounds of gamelan while burying his rhythms in dense, dubby layers of incense smoke.—
Sam Goldner,
Pitchfork,
13 Apr. 2026
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But right now, talk about voluntary workouts and the camaraderie in the defensive meeting rooms is just burying the lede.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But at the end of the day, Pasricha said, normalizing people doing human things in our homes without judgment and overcoming this embarrassment are important.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
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And, in a perfectly fitting twist, UConn can cement that status by overcoming a Michigan powerhouse that is racking up historically impressive numbers, hoping to go down as one of the sport's greatest teams itself.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The next day, the United States and Israel began bombing Iran, launching the country into war.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Human Rights Watch has said bombing them would constitute a war crime.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Start by trimming the tough, dry ends off the bunch and chop them into little logs.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Get a hedge-and-branch trimming bundle at a huge discount.—
Andrew P. Collins,
The Drive,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The inning included a play at second base where Luis Arraez was kicked in the throwing hand by Dylan Beavers but remained in the game.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
12 Apr. 2026
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The Pirates also took advantage of Caleb Thielbar’s throwing error to score an unearned run off the lefty reliever in the 11th inning.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Your body works harder to digest sugary drinks, slowing fluid absorption and potentially upsetting an already sensitive stomach.—
Brandi Jones,
Verywell Health,
1 Apr. 2026
-
But after getting a chance to coach at Drake, McCollum began his quick rise up the college basketball ladder, going 31-4 in his first year at Drake and making it to the Round of 32 after upsetting Missouri in the opening round.—
Tyler Erzberger,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flattening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flattening. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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