1
as in smooths
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 buries
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 flattens
Instead of feeling like the padding flattens out halfway through the day, these stay soft and supportive mile after mile.
—
Olivia Cefalu, InStyle, 9 Mar. 2026
Seasons in the Hindu Kush—Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter,2009–11, has the spectator stand above crushed pots as if surveying terrain from above—the godlike perspective of the Mercator projection, where mountains become miniature and geography flattens into a navigable surface.
—Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
And yet, Waltz’s affable, wooden interpretation flattens the role and makes the movie’s moral center read as oddly mundane.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Feb. 2026
His visual approach, however, flattens the ensuing emotional layers.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
Fatigue that flattens whole weekends.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 Jan. 2026
If the user releases the string, the structure flattens again.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Dec. 2025
Anonymity meant to protect actually flattens their experience.
—Stephanie A, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
When gutters and drains clog, water sheets off the roof onto the plants below and flattens them.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2025
Olivia Cefalu, InStyle, 9 Mar. 2026
Seasons in the Hindu Kush—Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter,2009–11, has the spectator stand above crushed pots as if surveying terrain from above—the godlike perspective of the Mercator projection, where mountains become miniature and geography flattens into a navigable surface.
—Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
And yet, Waltz’s affable, wooden interpretation flattens the role and makes the movie’s moral center read as oddly mundane.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Feb. 2026
His visual approach, however, flattens the ensuing emotional layers.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
Fatigue that flattens whole weekends.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 Jan. 2026
If the user releases the string, the structure flattens again.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Dec. 2025
Anonymity meant to protect actually flattens their experience.
—Stephanie A, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
When gutters and drains clog, water sheets off the roof onto the plants below and flattens them.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flattens
Verb
-
Plus, blurs pores, smooths texture, and keeps your makeup intact for 12 hours.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
9 Mar. 2026
-
As connection-building Venus activates your 3rd House of Communication, your inventive approach smooths discussions.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Placer County Water Agency has mapped out $295 million in projects that will upgrade infrastructure, such as rebuilding plants and rehabbing buries pipes, from the foothills to the freeway.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
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Despite such doubts, Malaysia is positioning itself as Southeast Asia's hub for the alternative technology, a three-step process that captures, transports and buries carbon dioxide which contributes to climate change.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
LithSonic overcomes this challenge by using supersonic flow, similar to the conditions inside a rocket engine, to achieve ultra-rapid cooling through a process known as shock quenching.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
-
After a sluggish start, Texas overcomes a 14-point deficit to tie the game before OU's Xzayvier Brown hits a 3-pointer to give his team the halftime lead.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Already on edge from a rough morning, John rips up the TV deal and throws it in Berman’s face.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
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The video shows a security guard holding back a male security guard who is moving toward a young man who throws his backpack on the ground, and appears ready to fight as the woman is being handcuffed.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Additionally, some of the visual scenery projected behind and above the set doesn’t always embrace but overwhelms the acting below.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
-
In practice, fluent dialogue quickly overwhelms reflective distance.—
Deb Roy,
The Atlantic,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The pieces knit together to form a cast iron surface that sheds water, smothers weeds and holds up for a long time.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Mar. 2026
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On the latter, Bollywood royalty Asha Bhosle, 92, sings in Hindi of setting sail to the other side, but Albarn smothers her beneath heraldic bursts of Disneyfied psych-pop.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This upsets her husband, Paul, who has returned with his and Roxie’s two young sons.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2026
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If Finland upsets Canada, three other Panthers — Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen and Niko Mikkola — would play for the gold.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When a dog repeatedly wags and whips its tail against hard surfaces, the tip can split open, bruise or break.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Jan. 2026
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Benbrook whips Diamond Hill-Jarvis Benbrook stayed on pace for a playoff berth in District 8-4A as the Lady Bobcats thumped Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis 55-7.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flattens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flattens. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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