What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
smush
Example
She smushed the playdough into a ball. [smushed: past tense]
Example
He smushed the sandwich in his backpack and it got all squished. [smushed: past participle]
flatten
Example
She flattened the dough with a rolling pin. [flattened: past tense]
Example
He needs to flatten the cardboard boxes before recycling them. [flatten: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Flatten is more commonly used than smush in everyday language. Flatten is a more versatile term that can be used in a wide range of contexts, while smush is less common and often used in more specific or informal situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between smush and flatten?
Flatten is generally considered a more formal term than smush, which has a more playful or colloquial connotation. However, both words can be used in a variety of formality levels depending on the context.