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
These hues reflect light without flattening a space, and pair well with both light and dark cabinetry.
—
Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 7 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
Death often has a kind of flattening effect on legacy.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2025
This promotes pelvic tuck, rolling the pelvis backward and flattening the lumbar curve, compounding the problem of poor lumbar support as well as a feeling of pain and numbness in the legs.
—New Atlas, 16 Dec. 2025
Namely, the potential competition-flattening effects of an enterprise that pools capital, technology, and purchasing clout on behalf of a half-dozen rivals?
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2025
As the explosion grew larger and smacked into nearby matter, the shape started flattening while the ejecta’s axis of symmetry remained stable.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2025
Cooking turkey in pieces or roasting a spatchcocked turkey (removing the backbone and flattening the bird) reduces the risk of dry breast meat and also shortens your total cooking time, according to Michael Manoocheri, director of food and beverage at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa in San Diego.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Nov. 2025
Curves plotting model performance against size have begun flattening out.
—James Somers, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 7 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
Death often has a kind of flattening effect on legacy.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2025
This promotes pelvic tuck, rolling the pelvis backward and flattening the lumbar curve, compounding the problem of poor lumbar support as well as a feeling of pain and numbness in the legs.
—New Atlas, 16 Dec. 2025
Namely, the potential competition-flattening effects of an enterprise that pools capital, technology, and purchasing clout on behalf of a half-dozen rivals?
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2025
As the explosion grew larger and smacked into nearby matter, the shape started flattening while the ejecta’s axis of symmetry remained stable.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2025
Cooking turkey in pieces or roasting a spatchcocked turkey (removing the backbone and flattening the bird) reduces the risk of dry breast meat and also shortens your total cooking time, according to Michael Manoocheri, director of food and beverage at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa in San Diego.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Nov. 2025
Curves plotting model performance against size have begun flattening out.
—James Somers, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flattening
Verb
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Phased retirement can also help companies to manage the consequences of the looming workforce contraction by forestalling brain drain and smoothing succession planning — all while preserving the institutional knowledge and relationships that help companies thrive.—
Mary Moreland,
Fortune,
31 Dec. 2025
-
Pour batter into prepared baking pan, spreading to edges and smoothing top.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The cold weather shouldn’t be a huge factor unless the wind starts whipping.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The wind was whipping throughout Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, that day, which had a massive impact on the kicking game.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
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However, as the friends were returning from Castle Peak, an avalanche was triggered on the backside of the mountain, burying Thomason.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The sophomore erupted for 14 points in the frame, burying a pair of threes as Malden Catholic pulled away for good.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The team overcoming those injuries defined the season.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The search company has been on the rise after putting together the pieces for its AI comeback and overcoming key regulatory hurdles last year.—
Jennifer Elias,
CNBC,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Piper Sandler’s Laperriere said Trump used such types of force infrequently during his first term and held off on bombing Iran.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Just hours before the US began bombing Iraq in 2003, Husain and his family stole around $1 billion in what has been described as the largest bank heist of all time.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Trailing most of the game, Dallas couldn't get a fourth-quarter stop after trimming the deficit to three points with 10 minutes remaining.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
-
That’s in part by trimming the approval process.—
CalMatters,
Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After throwing for just 241 total yards in wins over Texas A&M and Ohio State to start Miami’s postseason journey, Beck completed 23 of 37 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns with one interception and had the game-clinching rushing touchdown.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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This happened after a number of protesters began throwing snowballs at federal vehicles on the scene.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The San Francisco 49ers got the job done on the road, upsetting the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, 23-19, in the Wild Card Round to move on in the playoffs.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
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But Vandegrift won a piece of the District 25-6A championship for the eighth straight year and then kept going in the playoffs, upsetting Westlake and Dripping Springs before falling in the states semifinals to Houston King.—
Rick Cantu,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flattening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flattening. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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