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
Think bras with pointed cups and bandeau slips that cover and flatten the belly.
—
Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 10 July 2025
After six months of regular use, this foam pillow kept its perfectly plush shape and didn’t flatten or become overly squishy.
—Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2025
Add 1/2 cup filling to the center of one tortilla, flattening the filling into an even, 4-inch circle just a bit smaller than the width of your tostadas.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025
The internet has fragmented and flattened subcultures.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for flatten
Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 10 July 2025
After six months of regular use, this foam pillow kept its perfectly plush shape and didn’t flatten or become overly squishy.
—Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2025
Add 1/2 cup filling to the center of one tortilla, flattening the filling into an even, 4-inch circle just a bit smaller than the width of your tostadas.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025
The internet has fragmented and flattened subcultures.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for flatten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flatten
Verb
-
Iron the back side or inside of the fabric first, then flip it over to smooth the outside.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
20 July 2025
-
Downy’s wrinkle spray works in a matter of seconds: Just lay your clothing flat, spritz it with wrinkle release spray, and use your hands to smooth the material out.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
Prince Friso was in a skiing accident in February 2012, getting buried under an avalanche, which led to brain damage and falling into a coma.—
Alex Apatoff,
People.com,
15 July 2025
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Some mourners openly wept, burying their faces in the Palestinian flags wrapped around the bodies.—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Becky Lynch overcame Lyra Valkyria and Bayley to retain the Women’s Intercontinental Championship in what was possibly the match of the night.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
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Noncompliance can mean monetary penalties, restricted market access and lasting reputational damage that can be very difficult to overcome.—
Paresh Sagar,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Facing a ream of questions about the future of MasterChef now that Wallace has been dismissed, Tim Davie threw his weight behind the BBC stalwart series, which is currently renewed up until 2028.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
15 July 2025
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Through his first eight seasons with the Panthers, Newton threw for over 3,000 yards each year.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
Verb
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The designer was lucky enough to snag some handwoven jacquard with gold thread from a Venetian palazzo, whipping it into a one-of-a-kind lampshade skirt.—
Ari Stark,
Footwear News,
15 July 2025
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Shake briefly to whip, then empty contents into a curved Hurricane glass and garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Trump’s decision to bomb Iran, after all, happened without forewarning for his allies.—
Garret Martin,
The Conversation,
15 July 2025
-
Initially considered a frontrunner in the competition, both as a fierce competitor and a shady schemer, the Texas titan returned for the semifinals last week as a shell of her former self, bombing Snatch Game and having to lip sync for her life.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
11 July 2025
Verb
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However, the antiproton qubit is unlikely to find work in quantum computing because ordinary matter can be used for that more easily without the risk of the antimatter annihilating.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
24 July 2025
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The central working assumption of PEN America and of the State Department—that the liberal American can teach the seriously swarming races what is meant by democracy—has been annihilated.—
Pankaj Mishra,
Harpers Magazine,
16 July 2025
Verb
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This lightweight leave-in conditioner is designed for all curl types, from loose waves to coily textures, and hydrates without adding a smothering layer of buildup.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
7 July 2025
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Instead, bruising inside Aria’s cheeks and cuts in her mouth consistent with being smothered to death were discovered, said Dr. Tran.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flatten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flatten. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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