FLATTEN Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

flatten

verb

ˈfla-tᵊn

Definition of flatten

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of flatten The Premier League, our league, is a bulldozer, flattening anything and everything. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 How to Keep Pillows Fluffy Longer The best way to keep a pillow fluffy is to prevent it from becoming severely flattened in the first place, and that starts with using a pillow protector and washing it every two weeks. — Colleen Sullivan, Martha Stewart, 22 Aug. 2026 Innovations in camera technology have made oners increasingly feasible, and there’s a risk of them getting flattened out, into just being generic action beats. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026 Their purpose is not to flatten emotion or eliminate individuality, but to reduce symptoms that interfere with functioning and quality of life. — Rachel Docekal, STAT, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flatten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flatten

Verb

Its stretchy, wireless design has extra coverage and smoothing side panels that create a cleaner silhouette without squeezing.

— Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
The formula includes lactic acid, a chemical exfoliator that breaks down dead skin, for a double dose of skin-smoothing power.

— Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of smooth

Verb

In many cases, bodies have been washed far downstream and rendered unrecognizable, while others still missing are feared to have been buried in the torrent of thick mud.

— Andrew Jones, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
Huntsinger never expected to be dealing with a major mudslide that buried one of the festival’s main venues, The Palm, in three feet of mud.

— Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of bury

Verb

The Tar Heels’ ability to overcome some sloppiness — and, yes, take advantage of a slew of TCU mistakes — was a positive intangible sign after Belichick’s brutal debut season and offseason.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
But to overcome 30 years of Republican dominance, Talarico needs votes from everywhere.

— Eleanor Dearman Updated August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of overcome

Verb

This powerful dream sequence shows Sarah and the rest of Los Angeles utterly annihilated by a nuclear blast.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
Here was an artist actively working to annihilate members of the LGBTQ+ community for sport, and Dolly tells me to still show love to him?

— Hunter Kelly, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of annihilate

Verb

Ella Langley continues to whip fans into a frenzy on social media.

— David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Deploying everything from pickled green strawberries and fresh peas to whipped labneh with Banyul vinegar glaze, artful Viennoiserie evokes more than a little whimsy that spans sweet and savory.

— The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of whip

Verb

One jumper is famous for having smothered miles of flames with his jacket; in Alaska, jumpers have used spruce boughs and burlap bags filled with moss.

— M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Both experts agree that a thick layer of top dressing can actually smother your grass.

— Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of smother

Browse Nearby Words

flat taxes

flatten

flattened

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Style

“Flatten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flatten. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of flatten

verb

Example Sentences

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