make/put a dent
idiom
: to decrease something slightly or to make something somewhat weaker
We tried our best to fix the problem, but nothing we did seems to have made a dent.
—often + inIt's going to take more than a new law to make a dent in the city's drug crime.
a vacation that won't put too big a dent in your wallet
Examples of make/put a dent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The steep selloff has put a dent in former President Donald Trump’s net worth.
—
Matt Egan, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
But objections over Gaza do not appear to have put a dent in the president's war chest thus far.
—USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
The song peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and put a dent in Meek’s resume forever.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024
Guru and insider interest While Cal-Maine's expansion efforts, valuation and dividend are appealing, the disappointing quarterly results may have put a dent in investors' enthusiasm.
—Gurufocus, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
But even as Pinnacle 441 is hoping to put a dent in Hollywood’s affordable housing needs, he’s still stunned by the large response.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024
The second half was even, but the Sea Lions (18-13) couldn’t make a dent in the advantage the Cougars had taken midway through the first half.
—U-T Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024
Pitt led 64-54 with 6:30 to play and Virginia couldn't make a dent the rest of the way.
—Hank Kurz Jr., USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2024
Patubo said last year’s unprecedented storms in the area put a dent in business.
—Mae Anderson, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024
Matt Egan, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
But objections over Gaza do not appear to have put a dent in the president's war chest thus far.
—USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
The song peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and put a dent in Meek’s resume forever.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024
Guru and insider interest While Cal-Maine's expansion efforts, valuation and dividend are appealing, the disappointing quarterly results may have put a dent in investors' enthusiasm.
—Gurufocus, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
But even as Pinnacle 441 is hoping to put a dent in Hollywood’s affordable housing needs, he’s still stunned by the large response.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024
The second half was even, but the Sea Lions (18-13) couldn’t make a dent in the advantage the Cougars had taken midway through the first half.
—U-T Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024
Pitt led 64-54 with 6:30 to play and Virginia couldn't make a dent the rest of the way.
—Hank Kurz Jr., USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2024
Patubo said last year’s unprecedented storms in the area put a dent in business.
—Mae Anderson, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'make/put a dent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near make/put a dent
Cite this Entry
“Make/put a dent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make%2Fput%20a%20dent. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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