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
Grant asks Chris about the boxing gloves now for sale in the night store, but Katie forestalls him by running over and grabbing them, nearly flattening Chris.
—
Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026
The ambition is to ensure that AI reflects the identity of the organisation using it, rather than flattening those differences.
—Heather Farmbrough, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
This can include flattening the hill, raking or shoveling the mound, or even using a garden hose to flood the area.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 4 June 2026
The Hurricanes went 12-1, flattening opponents by applying the kind of smooth, inevitable pressure that would make a Zamboni driver jealous.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 3 June 2026
While a standard reversal shows these lines flattening out, the ultimate confirmation comes from a formal DMI crossover (when the green line slices cleanly above the red line).
—Nishant Pant, CNBC, 2 June 2026
An explosion at a building believed to be storing explosives in northeastern Myanmar killed at least 46 people and injured dozens more, according to rescuers and others, flattening homes near the border with China.
—Grant Peck, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Disposable income has been flattening in recent months, even as spending continues.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 30 May 2026
Ballots are prepared Another team of workers inspects every ballot, flattening them and removing creases in preparation to be scanned.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026
The ambition is to ensure that AI reflects the identity of the organisation using it, rather than flattening those differences.
—Heather Farmbrough, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
This can include flattening the hill, raking or shoveling the mound, or even using a garden hose to flood the area.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 4 June 2026
The Hurricanes went 12-1, flattening opponents by applying the kind of smooth, inevitable pressure that would make a Zamboni driver jealous.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 3 June 2026
While a standard reversal shows these lines flattening out, the ultimate confirmation comes from a formal DMI crossover (when the green line slices cleanly above the red line).
—Nishant Pant, CNBC, 2 June 2026
An explosion at a building believed to be storing explosives in northeastern Myanmar killed at least 46 people and injured dozens more, according to rescuers and others, flattening homes near the border with China.
—Grant Peck, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Disposable income has been flattening in recent months, even as spending continues.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 30 May 2026
Ballots are prepared Another team of workers inspects every ballot, flattening them and removing creases in preparation to be scanned.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flattening
Verb
-
As a wellness enthusiast who has seen Paris slowly catch up to cities like London in cutting-edge treatments, I was impressed by the Kobi-Dior offering, a luxurious take on the centuries-old Japanese wrinkle-smoothing facial.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
12 June 2026
-
This thong offers minimal coverage while offering the benefit of smoothing your lower stomach.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Vargas is accused of repeatedly whipping the cab’s hood with a belt, denting it, cops said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
-
But listening to Magazine—their new 10-track, 11-minute album—that artful density becomes singular, swaying as much as whipping between its frantic ideas.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Yet following closely behind is Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth), Wardex’s nervy CEO, who’s intent on burying the facts out of fear that humanity can’t handle this mind-expanding knowledge.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2026
-
Keep the language concrete and avoid burying the point under explanation.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The barriers our students face have changed over the years, but our commitment to overcoming them remains the same as always.—
Albert D. Mosley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2026
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Rather than scaling software, their approach focuses on overcoming physical bottlenecks—verified by the laws of physics—to build the foundational architecture for the broader space economy.—
Alexandra Vidyuk,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
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It was used in bombing missions during the current conflict between the US and Iran.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
-
Cook, who is now retired and works in the private sector, became particularly incensed when the military began bombing boats in the Caribbean in September.—
Clint Smith,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Ensuring your porch is unwelcoming by relocating bird baths or feeders and trimming nearby trees can prevent birds from making nests.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
-
Midfielder Mauricio pulled one back for Paraguay in the 73rd minute, trimming the United States' lead to 3-1.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Paul Goldschmidt hit an infield single off Braydon Fisher (2-2) to begin the ninth and advanced on Fisher's throwing error.—
CBS New York Team,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
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But Nick Loftin, who pinch-hit for Michael Massey, committed a costly mistake, throwing just wide of Jac Caglianone, who was playing first base because Vinnie Pasquantino had exited the game earlier with an injury (more about that below).—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Trump then appointed Pulte as interim intelligence director just as the FISA renewal was moving toward passage, upsetting bipartisan talks.—
Mary Clare Jalonick,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
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The Lions of Mesopotamia have qualified for their first World Cup since 1986 and will look to keep upsetting the odds in North America.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flattening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flattening. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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