1
: in a blunt and direct manner : openly
called flat out for revolution—
Nat'l Review
Nat'l Review2
: at top speed or peak performance
the car does 180 m.p.h. flat out
3
usually flat-out
: absolutely, downright
—usually used as an intensive
is just flat-out confusing
Examples of flat-out in a Sentence
Adjective
regarded their son-in-law as a flat-out loser and let him know it
Adverb
I told him flat out that I have no intention of marrying him.
We asked for more time but they refused us flat out.
The car does 180 mph flat out.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Explore Ray Vaughn See latest videos, charts and news
As Vaughn settles in the second time around, his voice is gruff, worn from rapping, recording, interviewing, and flat-out existing.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 28 Apr. 2025
Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Earlier this week, China flat out denied statements from both Trump and members of his administration that suggested the U.S. and Beijing were engaged in talks to forge a deal.
—Brian Evans, CNBC, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for flat-out
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Adjective
It’s been flat-out difficult to score for both sides.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Explore Ray Vaughn See latest videos, charts and news
As Vaughn settles in the second time around, his voice is gruff, worn from rapping, recording, interviewing, and flat-out existing.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 28 Apr. 2025
Adverb
But Hellebuyck flat out missed on Jimmy Snuggerud’s second-period goal, allowing the Blues to tie the game with Scheifele out, the Jets reeling and Winnipeg’s power play failing to score earlier in the frame.
—Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Earlier this week, China flat out denied statements from both Trump and members of his administration that suggested the U.S. and Beijing were engaged in talks to forge a deal.
—Brian Evans, CNBC, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for flat-out
Cite this Entry
“Flat-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flat-out. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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