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
That pacing felt right for top-down and lowers the barrier to entry without flattening the experience.
—
MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
What’s most gratifying is the extent to which the filmmakers sought practical solutions and physical sets rather than relying solely on the digital toolbox or flattening the action with endless green-screen sequences.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
The Embrace Series Insoles are crafted to mimic the cloud-like feel of memory foam without flattening over time, working to maintain continuous adaptability while rebounding with each step.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
According to fabric care expert Alicia Sokolowski, ironing is ideal for creating crisp creases, flattening heavy wrinkles, and shaping structured garments like dress shirts, cotton, linen, or denim.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 19 Feb. 2026
But the film’s indifference to questions of authenticity ends flattening one of the story’s most uncomfortable and essential truths.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Compression packing cubes, in particular, are critical for saving space and flattening clothes as much as possible.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, far from trending toward retail domination, US e-commerce growth is flattening.
—Greg Petro, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Many tech companies have spent recent years flattening their structure by cutting middle management at a record rate.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
What’s most gratifying is the extent to which the filmmakers sought practical solutions and physical sets rather than relying solely on the digital toolbox or flattening the action with endless green-screen sequences.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
The Embrace Series Insoles are crafted to mimic the cloud-like feel of memory foam without flattening over time, working to maintain continuous adaptability while rebounding with each step.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
According to fabric care expert Alicia Sokolowski, ironing is ideal for creating crisp creases, flattening heavy wrinkles, and shaping structured garments like dress shirts, cotton, linen, or denim.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 19 Feb. 2026
But the film’s indifference to questions of authenticity ends flattening one of the story’s most uncomfortable and essential truths.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Compression packing cubes, in particular, are critical for saving space and flattening clothes as much as possible.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, far from trending toward retail domination, US e-commerce growth is flattening.
—Greg Petro, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Many tech companies have spent recent years flattening their structure by cutting middle management at a record rate.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flattening
Verb
-
Hospitals that implemented smoothing elective admissions have reported millions of dollars in additional annual revenue.—
Eugene Litvak,
STAT,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The end result is a lotion that hydrates while also preventing breakouts and smoothing rough texture over time.—
Hana Hong,
Glamour,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Like Apollo 13, Artemis II will take advantage of the moon’s and Earth’s gravity, making a figure 8 after whipping around the moon to head home in what’s known as a free-return trajectory requiring little if any fuel.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Like Apollo 13, Artemis II will take advantage of the moon and Earth’s gravity, making a figure eight after whipping around the moon to head home in what’s known as a free-return trajectory requiring little if any fuel.—
Marcia Dunn,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Just over two minutes later, the Senators tied the game with Batherson burying a rebound in the crease for his second of the game.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Just enough animation to keep you from giving up and burying the thing in an unmarked grave.—
JD Barker,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Applicants must write an essay that reflects a background of overcoming adversity, such as growing up in a low-income setting or losing a parent.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Waring and Woodland are both in the midst of overcoming big obstacles of a different nature.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, Lamont’s idea for a gasoline tax rebate remains in flux as prices have soared due to the war in Iran as the United States and Israel have continued bombing the country in the Middle East.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The Russian tactic is to surround and then choke cities while bombing them to rubble.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Officials will spend months trimming, adding to and massaging the financial books to address residents’ priorities.—
Devyani Chhetri,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
In 2018, seventeen-year-old landscaper Alex Childress was rushed to the hospital with third-degree burns on his face after unknowingly trimming giant hogweed.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Gonzales is certainly a name to watch in Charlotte’s quarterback battle, throwing for 6,682 yards, 51 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions spanning three years at Western Carolina.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
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Residents say the suspect started throwing mason jars full of black liquid at officers.—
Kayla Moeller,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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McNeese secured a March Madness bid by upsetting SFA in the Southland conference tournament, winning the school’s third consecutive Southland championship.—
Ryan Brennan
March 16,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Mar. 2026
-
McNeese secured a March Madness bid by upsetting SFA in the Southland Conference Tournament.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flattening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flattening. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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