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
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
There is no sign of an asteroid heading to earth anything like the one that exploded over Siberia on June 30, 1908, flattening 500,00 acres.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2026
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
There is no sign of an asteroid heading to earth anything like the one that exploded over Siberia on June 30, 1908, flattening 500,00 acres.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flattening
Verb
-
The smoothing system, a blend of ingredients, softens and moisturizes the hair’s cuticle to deeply condition, while the amino acid blend helps prevent breakage and keeps the scalp moisturized.—
Jamie Wilson,
Glamour,
20 Feb. 2026
-
As the sensitive Pisces Moon meets romantic Venus, we may be drawn to kindness, simple pleasures, and smoothing rough edges.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
-
With winds whipping and snow piling up, members of the Terriers made their way down the sidewalk on Comm.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Drake Powell provided one of the early highlights with five quick points off the bench, first burying a smooth step-back 3-pointer from the right wing, then following it with a crafty drive and physical finish moments later.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
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Clearing rubble and burying the dead Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry summoned Pakistan’s ambassador to Kabul to protest the strikes.—
Munir Ahmed,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For me, Gregg’s incredible voice resonates not just in his music but in his humanity, in overcoming the murder of his father, the early death of his brother Duane, and his personal demons.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
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The first step to overcoming a fear of abandonment can look like opening up to your partner about your concerns.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For Lucy, that meant realizing that her dad had lied about his true intentions and his role in bombing Shady Sands.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
-
This is a program where UCLA assistant coach Rod Palmer once had teams competing against the best when alumnus Arron Affalo was bombing in threes and delivering dunks before going on to UCLA and the NBA.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Rather than trimming the beans individually, do it in batches.—
Riley Wofford,
Martha Stewart,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Often the hedge is full enough with healthy limbs to grow shoots that fill voids left from trimming.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The swirling, whirling mass approaches like a steam train, picking up thousands of tons of matter on its descent, throwing clouds of snow into the air as its gathers speeds of up to 130 kph (80 mph).—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
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Instead of throwing the baby toys on the couch, toss them in the basket.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While Larson is known for his friendly disposition, Proto said that no candidate can be in office for decades without upsetting some constituents.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Gaon Choi spoiled Chloe Kim’s bid for a halfpipe three-peat, upsetting the American in dramatic fashion to win gold.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flattening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flattening. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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