OBLATE

Set to 5 different clues across 11 published puzzles, most often “Flattened at the poles” — The New York Times, Wednesday, 12 November 2008.

6 letters

Every clue on record, most used first

Flattened at the poles6 times
The New York Times — Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Not quite spherical2 times
The New York Times — Tuesday, 29 August 2006
Like M&M'sonce
The New York Times — Friday, 31 December 2010
Squeezed at the ends, as leavesonce
The New York Times — Sunday, 2 September 2007
Layperson in a monasteryonce
The New York Times — Saturday, 6 December 2003