1
as in to smooth
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 to bury
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 flatten
Accessibility Not particularly, although the undulating ground flattens off around Nucciola and Amandula.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
In a town of fewer than 2,000 people, a tornado carved through a heavily residential subdivision, flattening homes and scattering families.
—Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Using a 1-ounce ice cream scoop, portion into balls or flattened disk shapes.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
Tannins can clash with milk proteins, creating bitter, metallic sensations, while alcohol and extraction flatten more delicate flavors.
—Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flatten
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
In a town of fewer than 2,000 people, a tornado carved through a heavily residential subdivision, flattening homes and scattering families.
—Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Using a 1-ounce ice cream scoop, portion into balls or flattened disk shapes.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
Tannins can clash with milk proteins, creating bitter, metallic sensations, while alcohol and extraction flatten more delicate flavors.
—Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flatten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flatten
Verb
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The complementary conditioner dials up the moisture with shea butter, murumuru butter, and amino acids to smooth and strengthen—leaving hair soft, bouncy, and ready for styling.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
28 Apr. 2026
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Its benefits span from firming and lift to smoothing texture and tone.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The houses, deemed radioactive, had been levelled and buried, along with the apple orchard.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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Glen Powell had to face his fears about the face of Hulu’s Chad Powers as co-creator, executive producer and star, even if that face typically is literally buried under layers of prosthetics.—
Scott Huver,
Deadline,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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How Disney’s founder, namesake, and first CEO overcame the crisis of his day may give D’Amaro a blueprint for his.—
Roland Betancourt,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
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But even more inspiring was their determination to overcome enormous losses and difficulties to try to make new lives for themselves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Minaj will attend as a guest of Fox News, which is also throwing its own VIP party before Saturday's official dinner, Fox confirmed to USA TODAY.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
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The Padres’ only run in the first six innings came on a home run by Ty France in the fifth off Brandon Pfaadt, who had taken over for starter Zac Gallen, who departed following the third inning after being hit in his throwing shoulder by a line drive.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Read on to discover what the chefs will be whipping us this year at Culinary Masters.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
24 Apr. 2026
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In a video obtained by WBZ, Nguyen can be seen sitting on the side of the mountain as the wind whipped around him.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Much earlier, in 1983, a plot by the IRA to bomb a Duran Duran concert at the Dominion Theatre was discovered.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
29 Apr. 2026
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Yesterday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israeli military personnel that the terms of the ceasefire with Lebanon allow Israel to continue bombing throughout the country.—
Mustafa Qadri,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Mary is willing to be annihilated and remade.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
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Investors were suddenly gripped with the fear that AI would annihilate software companies of every kind.—
Geoff Colvin,
Fortune,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Jaka Bijol could not get a handle on Joao Pedro, Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka were overrun in midfield, and Tosin Adarabioyo smothered Dominic Calvert-Lewin.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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If roots are buried too deeply, they can be smothered.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flatten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flatten. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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