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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flattening
Curves plotting model performance against size have begun flattening out.
—
James Somers, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
With a combination down and feather fill, this pillow is supportive but not firm, still allowing a sink-down feeling without flattening completely.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2025
However, for executives under pressure to boost productivity at lower costs—and especially for those with a penchant for cutting—the appeal of flattening the hierarchy is obvious.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
Gilbert caused widespread destruction—flattening over 100,000 homes, crippling power and communication networks, and claiming 45 lives.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Compression packing cubes, in particular, are critical for saving space and flattening clothes as much as possible.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2025
The bowl diffuser features aluminum plates that heat up to expedite your dry time, and the comb attachment helps detangle without flattening out your ringlets.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
Live Translation, in aiming to fix all that messiness in an algorithm streamed through Bluetooth earbuds, is not opening human communication up so much as flattening it.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2025
Manufacturing was the main drag on growth, flattening after a 5% expansion in the second quarter.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
James Somers, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
With a combination down and feather fill, this pillow is supportive but not firm, still allowing a sink-down feeling without flattening completely.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2025
However, for executives under pressure to boost productivity at lower costs—and especially for those with a penchant for cutting—the appeal of flattening the hierarchy is obvious.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
Gilbert caused widespread destruction—flattening over 100,000 homes, crippling power and communication networks, and claiming 45 lives.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Compression packing cubes, in particular, are critical for saving space and flattening clothes as much as possible.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2025
The bowl diffuser features aluminum plates that heat up to expedite your dry time, and the comb attachment helps detangle without flattening out your ringlets.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
Live Translation, in aiming to fix all that messiness in an algorithm streamed through Bluetooth earbuds, is not opening human communication up so much as flattening it.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2025
Manufacturing was the main drag on growth, flattening after a 5% expansion in the second quarter.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flattening
Verb
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Get your baker friend a full-sized one for smoothing buttercream over cakes, and a mini one for more precise tasks.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Nov. 2025
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It’s designed with side-smoothing panels, separated cups, and wide, adjustable straps.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The windproof and thermal wool blend fabric is the perfect shell to protect you on the many fall days in Paris, as the whipping wind adds an unexpected cool factor while strolling around town.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Nov. 2025
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Strong, whipping winds are expected to continue across Jamaica throughout the night.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Junior midfielder Summer Diamond scored first for the Aggies (10-6-6), burying a goal in the bottom right corner off her left foot in the 49th minute.—
Rachel Roberts,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Nov. 2025
-
After burying Helen, Carol arranges a meeting with the remaining unjoined survivors who speak English and is astonished to find that all five of them are content with how things have changed.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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DiMarco’s participation became a highlight of the event, with the student asking thoughtful questions about overcoming imposter syndrome and handling rejection.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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And that religion, like music, can carry the sound of struggle – but also the hope of one day overcoming the injustices and inequalities of everyday life.—
Ken Chitwood,
The Conversation,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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An art conservator who'd prefer to be immersed in detail work, Sarah is bombing as the host of a dinner party where her entrepreneur husband (Tom Riley) hopes to impress an obnoxious prospective investor (Tom Goodman-Hill) when a literal explosive goes off in her neighborhood.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
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Trump has often expressed verbal frustration with Putin, accusing him of making positive diplomatic noises before bombing Ukrainian civilians again, but until now had avoided taking direct action.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Tidy it up, trimming off any leggy, weak winter growth.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Nov. 2025
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Arrange soaked ladyfingers in a single layer in bottom of an 8-inch square baking dish, trimming or breaking ladyfingers as needed to fit.—
Amanda Holstein,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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After throwing the sandwich, Dunn ran off but was apprehended about a block away.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
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People were throwing toilet paper rolls and full beer cans.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Next up is a visit to the 3-6 Charlotte Hornets, who the Lakers may remember upsetting them in Los Angeles after February’s botched trade deadline fiasco involving Dalton Knecht and then-Hornets center Mark Williams.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Canada was gripped by the World Series last month and early in November as the Blue Jays, the country’s only MLB team, came agonizingly close to upsetting the Dodgers juggernaut.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flattening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flattening. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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