flatly

[ flat-lee ]

adverb

1. absolutely and without qualification:

   Our offer was flatly rejected.

2. without vitality or animation:

   He spoke flatly about the death of his wife.

3. in a level, even, or smooth manner:

   Apply the tape flatly to the pipe.

Word History and Origins

Origin of flatly¹

First recorded in 1560–70; flat ¹( def ) + -ly ( def )

Example Sentences

But in this election, most people who consider themselves to be good white Christians flatly declared that white supremacy was, at a minimum, not a deal breaker for them.

From Salon

It survived by responding with mass arrests, police beatings and torture - all thoroughly documented, but still flatly denied by officials.

From BBC

The news program has flatly denied allegations of deceptive editing to help Harris.

From Los Angeles Times

Indeed, only three weeks before Mizelle weighed in, a judge in a neighboring federal court flatly rejected the argument.

From Los Angeles Times

Caught in the crisis, Taiwanese firm Gold Apollo's founder Hsu Ching-Kuang flatly denied his company had anything to do with the attacks.

From BBC

Related Words

• absolutely
• categorically
• emphatically
• firmly
• unequivocally