Advertisement

View synonyms for flatten

flatten

[ flat-n ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to make flat.
  2. to knock down:

    The boxer flattened his opponent in the second round.

    Synonyms: floor, deck, prostrate, fell, ground



verb (used without object)

  1. to become flat.

verb phrase

  1. Aeronautics. to fly into a horizontal position, as after a dive.
  2. Nautical. flat 1( def 61 ).

flatten

/ ˈflætən /

verb

  1. sometimes foll by out to make or become flat or flatter
  2. informal.
    tr
    1. to knock down or injure; prostrate
    2. to crush or subdue

      failure will flatten his self-esteem

  3. tr music to lower the pitch of (a note) by one chromatic semitone Usual US wordflat
  4. intrfoll byout to manoeuvre an aircraft into horizontal flight, esp after a dive


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈflattener, noun

Discover More

Other Words From

  • flatten·er noun
  • over·flatten verb (used with object)
  • un·flattened adjective

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of flatten1

First recorded in 1620–30; flat 1 + -en 1

Discover More

Example Sentences

Unlike many fish alive today, Tiktaalik had a flattened skull and elongated snout that would have made traditional suction feeding difficult.

The idea is to slow it until enough of the population has been vaccinated, he said, comparing it with early efforts to “flatten the curve” to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed.

In data from powerlifting competitions, for example, progress also seems to flatten out after about a year, even though the powerlifters are presumably following far more sophisticated and rigorous periodized training plans.

Turn the chicken over and place it cut side down and, pressing firmly with your hands on the skin side, flatten the chicken.

We shouldn’t flatten every kind of villainy into a kind of broad evil that’s easy to dismiss.

From Vox

He uses a spatula to flatten the onions and the meat together, creating a broad circular patty with an uneven edge.

They are specifically designed to ‘flatten out and mushroom’ when striking human tissue, and are intended to cause maximum damage.

In a way, the print emphasizes the pelt-like nature of all images, as they flatten out the world and hand it over to us.

And, when Fajr-5s began making them run for cover they did not began shouting to "flatten all of Gaza."

Recessions tend to flatten income differentials, but this Great Recession is having the opposite effect.

But I allow they'd flatten us all aout in jest abaout a minnit, if they wuz to set aout tew!

To do this it is necessary to slightly flatten all the fifths and sharpen the major thirds.

And then young Weedham tried a necktie tackle that was supposed to flatten Black Hood to the floor.

The strange thing about this Titanic machine is that it can crack an egg, or flatten out a ton or more of glowing iron.

Opposition may dissolve, antagonistic cults flatten out to a common culture, almost imperceptibly.

Advertisement

Related Words

Word of the Day

tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


flat taxflatten the curve