1
as in smooths
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 buries
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 flattens
Deal lethargy kills that electricity slowly, the way a slow leak flattens a tire.
—
George Heller, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Accessibility Not particularly, although the undulating ground flattens off around Nucciola and Amandula.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
But to deny Jackson’s complexity only flattens his genius—as well as his kindness and fragility—into something manageable, explainable.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 21 Apr. 2026
The vacuum’s swivel head flattens against the floor to slide under low-lying furniture.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
The first concept expands the lottery to 18 teams and flattens odds heavily, with the bottom 10 teams each sitting at 8% to land the top pick and the remaining 20% distributed among the next eight teams, plus a drawing for all 18 picks.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Robby’s pivot is, of course, intentional, a way for The Pitt to highlight how burnout flattens committed frontline workers into people who simply can’t do it anymore.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
Like the space bags of infomercials past, this more aesthetic option flattens almost completely, leaving plenty of room for potential souvenirs.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 23 Mar. 2026
Some people would argue that the basic apparatus of cinema — a camera that then flattens images into two dimensions to be projected on a screen — hasn’t changed much since the Lumière brothers, despite obvious technological advancements.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026
George Heller, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Accessibility Not particularly, although the undulating ground flattens off around Nucciola and Amandula.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
But to deny Jackson’s complexity only flattens his genius—as well as his kindness and fragility—into something manageable, explainable.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 21 Apr. 2026
The vacuum’s swivel head flattens against the floor to slide under low-lying furniture.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
The first concept expands the lottery to 18 teams and flattens odds heavily, with the bottom 10 teams each sitting at 8% to land the top pick and the remaining 20% distributed among the next eight teams, plus a drawing for all 18 picks.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Robby’s pivot is, of course, intentional, a way for The Pitt to highlight how burnout flattens committed frontline workers into people who simply can’t do it anymore.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
Like the space bags of infomercials past, this more aesthetic option flattens almost completely, leaving plenty of room for potential souvenirs.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 23 Mar. 2026
Some people would argue that the basic apparatus of cinema — a camera that then flattens images into two dimensions to be projected on a screen — hasn’t changed much since the Lumière brothers, despite obvious technological advancements.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flattens
Verb
-
That combination slows digestion, smooths blood sugar, and provides steady fuel without the heaviness of a second meal.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
19 May 2026
-
Check out this conditioner that smooths and softens strands while adding a bit of shine, so your hair looks healthier without a ton of effort.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Enzo buries his head in his dad’s chest as if looking for refuge.—
Carlos Aguilar,
IndieWire,
15 May 2026
-
Tuanzebe buries his head in Bakambu’s neck and pats his back repeatedly.—
Franklin Leonard,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
This proprietary approach overcomes challenges of surface treatment and dispersion associated with the material.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Leo consistently overcomes challenges such as low light, rapid movement, and split second moments to produce sharp, compelling images.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of a withering blast that annihilates you instantly, the real killer would be a highly elevated risk of cancer and degenerative diseases over time.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
-
Dreams blend and bend time; death annihilates it, and Miller’s play is both.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As if aware that things are about to get confusing for the audience, writer-director Ritchie throws plenty of narration at us early on, emanating from Rachel Wild (Eiza Gonzalez), the sort of ultra-confident lawyer who clearly dresses for success.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
-
Schlittler throws a fastball — a four-seamer, a two-seam sinker or his cutter — 91 percent of the time.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
This is the monthly observing window — when moonlight no longer overwhelms the fainter stars and the sky begins to reveal itself again.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
-
Excess sugar overwhelms the kidneys, which flush it — along with hydrating fluids — out through urine, leaving people dehydrated and trapped in a cycle of thirst.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Carson smothers it over a crisp and shattering tortilla with tart pickled jalapeño, silky avocado crema and a blizzard of cotija cheese.—
Louisa Kung Liu Chu,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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Once in flowerbeds and vegetable gardens, the plant depletes potassium necessary for plant health and smothers low-growing plants.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This is a precarious tightrope to walk, with bond investors primed to sell if there’s a hint the biggest player in the market upsets the apple cart.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
-
The sale — motivated by a need to remain on the right side of profit and sustainability regulations (PSR) in the summer of 2024 — is a moment that still upsets Newcastle manager Eddie Howe.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flattens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flattens. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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