flatten

verb

flat·ten | \ ˈfla-tᵊn

flattened; flattening\ ˈflat-niŋ

, ˈfla-tə- \

Definition of flatten

transitive verb

: to make flat: such as

a : to make level or smooth

b : to knock down also : to defeat decisively

c : to make dull or uninspired —often used with out

d : to make lusterless flatten paint

e : to stabilize especially at a lower level

intransitive verb

: to become flat or flatter: such as

a : to become dull or spiritless

b : to extend in or into a flat position or form

c : to become uniform or stabilized often at a new lower level —usually used with out

Other Words from flatten Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about flatten

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Synonyms & Antonyms for flatten

Synonyms

even, level, plane, smooth, smoothen

Antonyms

rough, roughen

Examples of flatten in a Sentence

Dozens of houses were flattened by the tornado. The boxer was flattened in the seventh round. The team got flattened in the first round of the play-offs. Prices are expected to flatten after the holiday shopping season.

Recent Examples on the Web

That goal got flattened the last two years by Maryland. — Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, "Texas vs. Louisiana Tech 2019 live stream; time, TV channel, odds, watch online," 31 Aug. 2019 Assisting another agency: Interstate 71 Brook Park police helped stop a vehicle fleeing from Medina police by dropping Stop Sticks, which flattened one of the vehicle’s tires, on I-71. — Bob Sandrick, cleveland.com, "Man throws patio chairs in yard on Grosse Drive; two dogs attack another dog on Stonecrest Drive: Brook Park police blotter," 29 Aug. 2019 Their foreheads have been flattened, and their skulls have grown upward higher than normal. — Martin Finucane, BostonGlobe.com, "Medieval Croatian skulls indicate that people intentionally modified their head shapes. But why?," 29 Aug. 2019 Over millions of years, hominin faces flattened while the brain case enlarged. — Ben Guarino, Anchorage Daily News, "This newfound 3.8-million-year-old skull called ‘iconic’ in human evolution," 29 Aug. 2019 The more realistic danger comes from space rocks the size of 2006 QQ23, which could flatten an entire city, killing millions and causing widespread destruction in the event of a direct hit. — NBC News, "Huge asteroid misses Earth but spotlights threat posed by space rocks," 10 Aug. 2019 Smith said Albertville officers used spike strips, which flattened one of the man’s tires. — Ashley Remkus | Aremkus@al.com, al.com, "Man shot by police remains hospitalized in north Alabama," 15 July 2019 Spread out your fingertips, and flatten your palms to the mat. — Hayden Carpenter, Outside Online, "12 Yoga Poses for Climbers to Do Daily," 9 Aug. 2019 Mason muted Bennett in Round 1 before Bennett flattened Mason in the rematch. — Jim Mcbride, BostonGlobe.com, "Day 6: Defense heats up for Patriots," 31 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flatten.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for flatten

flatten

verb

English Language Learners Definition of flatten

: to make (something) flat or flatter

: to become flat or flatter

: to knock down (something or someone)

See the full definition for flatten in the English Language Learners Dictionary

flatten

verb

flat·ten | \ ˈfla-tən

flattened; flattening

Kids Definition of flatten

: to make or become flat She flattened herself against the wall.

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flatten

Definition of flatten

Other Words from flatten

Synonyms & Antonyms for flatten

Examples of flatten in a Sentence

First Known Use of flatten

English Language Learners Definition of flatten

Kids Definition of flatten

flatten

Definition of flatten

Other Words from flatten

Synonyms & Antonyms for flatten

Examples of flatten in a Sentence

First Known Use of flatten

English Language Learners Definition of flatten

Kids Definition of flatten

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