flatly

adv

1. In a physically flat or level manner.

   “He bent over the old woman again, with his ear turned flatly to her lips and then to the region of her heart.”

   “Rabbit country, the working man's uncultivable terrain. Half a mile away, square open patches of yellow sand flatly glittered, and far on the horizon cranes and vast silver cylinders stood about, ghostly shining inhabitants of the marsh.”

2. In a definite manner; in a manner showing complete certainty.

   “It was an accusation that he flatly denied.”

   “In 2017 in Zimbabwe, a military takeover brought Robert Mugabe's 37-year rule to and end. But one of the leaders, Maj Gen Sibusiso Moyo, appeared on television at the time, flatly denying it was a military takeover.”

3. In a manner that shows no emotion.

   “He replied flatly to the policeman's questions.”

   “"Sure you never heard of him?" he asked incredulously. "Never," I said flatly.”

   “"It's barbarous, Norsus." "It's Rome," said the giant flatly.”