flat 1 of 3

1
as in exact
being neither more nor less than a certain amount, number, or extent industrial growth has been a flat two percent for each of the last four quarters

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest a flat portrayal of Benjamin Franklin in the new TV series

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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flat

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adverb

flat

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noun

chiefly British

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective flat contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of flat are even, level, plane, and smooth. While all these words mean "having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities," flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

When would even be a good substitute for flat?

In some situations, the words even and flat are roughly equivalent. However, even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight.

trim the hedge so it is even

When is it sensible to use level instead of flat?

The words level and flat can be used in similar contexts, but level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

Where would plane be a reasonable alternative to flat?

While in some cases nearly identical to flat, plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface.

the plane sides of a crystal

When is smooth a more appropriate choice than flat?

The words smooth and flat are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.

a smooth skating rink

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 flat
Adjective
Comparable sales increased 3 percent with a flat performance in the Americas and a 20 percent jump in the rest of the world. Evan Clark, Footwear News, 27 Mar. 2025 Jaclyn's resort getaway with friends falls flat when the destination proves less exciting than expected. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
Adverb
Designers are quick to spot—and avoid—materials that mimic luxury but fall flat. Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 23 Mar. 2025 This will help create flaky layers and keep the scones from baking up flat. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
By day, layer it with a lightweight cardigan or keep it simple with bare shoulders, and finish the look with ballet flats or kitten heels. Jailynn Taylor, Essence, 27 Mar. 2025 Best Amazon Midi Dress Deals The midi dress design typically falls between the knee and ankle in length, allowing for easy styling with sandals, flats, or heels depending on the occasion. Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flat
Adjective
  • Often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease after the baseball player who was diagnosed with it, the exact cause of the disease is still not known, although a small group of cases are inherited.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The exact timing of a vote remains uncertain, and procedural delays by Senate Democrats could complicate its path.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Anything that isn’t someone bleeding out is boring to them, that kind of thing.
    Maria Fontoura, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2025
  • But here, it’s all viewed through a workplace-comedy format, which captures the kind of boring ordinariness of typical medical care while also getting at some of the big frustrations of understaffing.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Plus this episode also delivers peak unhinged Lex while he's stranded on an island post-plane crash and suffering from malaria, which leads to a moment that teases his natural killer instincts that he's kept so well hidden from Clark, and the world, so far.
    Christian Holub, EW.com, 16 Oct. 2021
  • But those cars were powered by pushrod engines with conventional cross-plane cranks.
    Rich Ceppos, Car and Driver, 2 Oct. 2022
Adjective
  • Each seat comes with power sockets and USB charging ports, and while the airline doesn’t offer traditional in-flight entertainment screens, a pop-up arm provides a stable perch for a tablet (more on that below).
    Scott Campbell, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2025
  • In this challenging scenario, investors looking for stable income can add some dividend stocks trading at attractive levels to their portfolios.
    TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That simplicity feels so apt for this show, There's enough here: The production is simple and sweet, while Jonas and Warren exude a certain magnetism.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Kit kept things simple with a traditional dark blue suit, pairing the look with a white shirt and polkadot bowtie and his usual glasses.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In one snap, their son, Bronze smiled in the front seat of a mini, matte black Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.
    Hannah Sacks, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025
  • But unlike most matte lip products, this viral formula doesn't feel drying on the lips, courtesy of a whole host of skin-loving ingredients such as vitamin E, cotton seed oil, green tea oil and mango oil.
    Denise Primbet, Glamour, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Gigantic and often bland, the squash filled our grocery carts and vexed our dull knives for too many years.
    Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Then there are interviews, scoops, and other kinds of highly specific reporting; a reporter might labor for months to unearth new information, only for A.I. to hoover it up and fold it into some bland summary.
    Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Probably because its seven episodes constitute only a partial adaptation of The Last of Us Part II, whereas the nine-part first season covered the entire original game, the story is stretched too thin.
    Judy Berman, Time, 7 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flat. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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