vent

¹vent

verb \ˈvent\

Definition of VENT

transitive verb

1

: to provide with a vent

2

a : to serve as a vent for <chimneys vent smoke> b : discharge, expel c : to give often vigorous or emotional expression to <vented her frustration on her coworkers>

3

: to relieve by means of a vent <vented himself in a fiery letter to the editor>

intransitive verb

: to relieve oneself by venting something (as anger) <comes home from work and vents to the kids>

Examples of VENT

1. Windows should be opened to vent the fumes.
2. She vented her frustrations by kicking the car.
3. Don't vent your anger on me.
4. I screamed because I needed to vent.

Origin of VENT

Middle English, in part from ²vent, in part short for aventen to release (air), from Anglo-French aventer, alteration of Old French esventer to air, from es- ex- (from Latin ex-) + vent wind, from Latin ventus — more at wind

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to VENT

Synonyms: loose, release, unleash, take out

Antonyms: bottle (up), repress, suppress

Related Words: act out; air, express, state, ventilate, voice

Near Antonyms: control, govern, handle, manage; bridle, check, constrain, contain, curb, hold back, pull in, quell, rein (in), restrain, smother, tame; allay, lull, quiet, soothe, still; choke, inhibit, muffle, pocket, repress, stifle, strangle, swallow

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at express

Rhymes with VENT

bent, Brent, cent, dent, gent, Ghent, hent, Lent, pent, rent, scent, sent, spent, sprent, stent, tent, Trent