1
as in smoothing
to make free from breaks, curves, or bumps
flattened out the wrinkled paper before attempting to trace the pattern
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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
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Recent Examples of flattening
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
It’s been repeatedly said that AI is flattening the org chart.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 1 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
Part of that work includes removing ballots from their envelopes and flattening them to prepare for counting.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Plus, high inflation and resilient growth would typically lead markets to price in rate hikes from the Federal Reserve, flattening the yield curve as short-term rates rise more than long-term rates.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 May 2026
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
It’s been repeatedly said that AI is flattening the org chart.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 1 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
Part of that work includes removing ballots from their envelopes and flattening them to prepare for counting.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Plus, high inflation and resilient growth would typically lead markets to price in rate hikes from the Federal Reserve, flattening the yield curve as short-term rates rise more than long-term rates.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flattening
Verb
-
The formula, which is infused with a vegan keratin smoothing complex and argan oil, promises up to 100 hours of frizz-free hair and up to 38% more light reflection, as well as heat protection up to 450 degrees.—
Rachel DeSantis,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
-
The Trouser Jeans are no different thanks to the wide pantlegs, smoothing waistband, and overall flattering fit.—
Ruby McAuliffe,
InStyle,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The Seahawks won those shootouts, but that was mostly due to their special teams whipping the Rams and their offense going off, especially in the Super Bowl qualifier.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
-
Throughout the record, the image of Petras’ life in freefall recurs, giving the record a sense of hair-whipping freedom and heart-stopping urgency.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Keep the language concrete and avoid burying the point under explanation.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 June 2026
-
Jacob Scott Bevins, 36, is accused of inflicting forceful trauma on Aiden Bevins, leading to the boy's death before burying him under his residence, KING 5 and KATU reported on Friday, June 5.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
One lawmaker Lackey’s unofficial bill title wasn’t lost upon was Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, D-Jefferson Park, a lawmaker who has spoken publicly about overcoming systemic barriers in his own life as a Black man and has centered his political career largely on criminal justice reform.—
Andrew Graham
May 28,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2026
-
That’s because the Phillies (29-27) stand as a serious threat in the wild-card races, and overcoming the Dodgers in the West race just isn’t realistic.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
On Monday, the Israeli military resumed bombing Hezbollah in Lebanon as peace talks for the Iran war continue.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
26 May 2026
-
Al Thawadi was in the Oval Office in September last year to watch Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu place a call to Qatar’s prime minister to apologize for bombing Doha.—
Dominic Dudley,
semafor.com,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Maintaining your yard by mowing, removing leaf litter, and trimming vegetation reduces tick habitats.—
Dan Simms,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
Here where to find more information on tree trimming policies.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The Predators went all in, throwing a bunch of money at MacFarland and a longer title for his business card — president of hockey operations.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
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But most of us have had a hydrangea mishap or two, possibly even throwing a dead hydrangea on the compost pile.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 June 2026
Verb
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The public perception was that the Index risked upsetting the notion that the manager was loyal to his players, if a website with his name on it was marking the players up and down.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
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Here’s what dietitians, microbiome researchers and a major 2021 study say about which foods make the cut and how to add them without upsetting your stomach.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flattening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flattening. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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