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
This news organization recently interviewed Poppe about PG&E’s status, including the new reality of bills flattening out or even falling.
—
George Avalos, Mercury News, 24 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
This would essentially be doubling down on flattening the odds, which was already tested in 2019 and empirically did not reduce tanking.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Winners of previous Cap10Ks have often made their move on Veteran’s Drive, a downhill stretch that runs under MoPac before flattening out alongside Austin High School.
—Brom Hoban, Austin American Statesman, 12 Apr. 2026
In effect, the hydrograph is flattening.
—Imtiaz Rangwala, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
For years, companies have been flattening their organizations and cutting down middle management.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
Experts say the Treasury yield curve is flattening, though, which could mean longer-term rates will start to win out in the near future.
—Aly J Yale, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
In effect, the hydrograph is flattening.
—Imtiaz Rangwala, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
George Avalos, Mercury News, 24 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
This would essentially be doubling down on flattening the odds, which was already tested in 2019 and empirically did not reduce tanking.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Winners of previous Cap10Ks have often made their move on Veteran’s Drive, a downhill stretch that runs under MoPac before flattening out alongside Austin High School.
—Brom Hoban, Austin American Statesman, 12 Apr. 2026
In effect, the hydrograph is flattening.
—Imtiaz Rangwala, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
For years, companies have been flattening their organizations and cutting down middle management.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
Experts say the Treasury yield curve is flattening, though, which could mean longer-term rates will start to win out in the near future.
—Aly J Yale, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
In effect, the hydrograph is flattening.
—Imtiaz Rangwala, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flattening
Verb
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Unlike many mineral sunscreens that can sit heavily on the skin, this one absorbs quickly and has a lightweight, smoothing effect.—
Brigitt Earley,
Glamour,
24 Apr. 2026
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But smoothing the appearance of fine lines around your eyes does not require a 12-step regimen or an appointment at the dermatologist’s office.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If the frosting seems soft and dense, give it a chill before whipping again.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Apr. 2026
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Later that evening, three rounds of hail inundated the house, followed by two bouts of whipping winds.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Carlsson concluded an odd-man rush by burying a beautiful backhand.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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The mower was burying itself under shrubs and smashing into 6-inch-tall+ (15-cm+) stone walls.—
Joe Salas
April 25,
New Atlas,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
More Than One Way to Survive in Business Entrepreneurs have been positioned to accept that overcoming the competition is the only way to succeed in business, but there may be other paths forward.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
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The Blackbeard project aims to achieve all this while overcoming the obstacles that have hindered previous attempts at hypersonic weaponry.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Now, the president’s not only banning Iran but also bombing it, to the tune of a $25-billion war.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
30 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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Oracle Park roared to life in the bottom of the fifth as San Francisco’s offense finally got to Alcantara, trimming the deficit to 8-3 as Drew Gilbert, Eric Haase and Luis Arraez all drove in a run apiece.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Across TikTok, Instagram and group chats, young people are constantly editing themselves, trimming anything that might come off as try-hard, awkward or embarrassing.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Carr is a natural athlete who moves like a great shortstop, and his ability to find cleaner throwing air out of the pocket — and his ability to make throws from multiple arm slots — is special.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Shota Imanaga isn’t known for throwing his sweeper much.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The auction initially caused quite a stir, upsetting tried and true gentlemanly practice.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
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After upsetting Bedlam rival Oklahoma last week, the Cowgirls continued their rise in the rankings by shutting out Texas 5-0 and then sweeping Baylor.—
Molly Keshin,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flattening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flattening. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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