flatly

American  

[flat-lee] / ˈflæt li /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of flatly

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

Example Sentences

That, of course, is not the same as "negotiations", which might explain why an Iranian military spokesman has flatly denied they are taking place.

From BBC

In particular, the insurers flatly denied in court that their agents had any “special relationship of trust and confidence” with their customers.

From MarketWatch

It kept generating random false answers, even while flatly insisting that they were correct and accurate.

From MarketWatch

“Seeing as you just told me to pull it from your pocket, I had an inkling,” he says flatly.

From Literature

He declares flatly, “California was born in genocide,” which isn’t something you expect from someone likely to lean to the center.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• absolutely
• categorically
• emphatically
• firmly
• unequivocally