1
as in hole
a sunken area forming a separate space
there was a big dent in the car's hood where something had hit it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decrease
the amount by which something is lessened
a little belt-tightening would at least make a small dent in our credit-card debt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to reduce
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
hopefully this vacation won't dent our bank account too much
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dent
Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The Longhorns’ former coach put a dent into those hopes Wednesday night.
—Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026
Nur Hikmah Md Ali, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
Camarota also acknowledged tariffs probably dented business confidence in 2025, reducing demand for labor.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dent
Noun
Missing out on the Champions League this spring would put a dent in that sustainability, but Liverpool, perhaps more than any of football’s ‘big’ clubs nowadays, don’t really operate in the short term.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The Longhorns’ former coach put a dent into those hopes Wednesday night.
—Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
Sentiment was also dented by a CBS News report indicating Iran may be moving toward deploying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
—Nur Hikmah Md Ali, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
Camarota also acknowledged tariffs probably dented business confidence in 2025, reducing demand for labor.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dent
Noun
-
Acuña grounded to the shortstop hole and beat Antonacci’s throw from the outfield grass as pinch-runner Andrés Giménez scored.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Photographs shown to jurors depicted bullet holes in the exterior walls of the residence and inside the bedroom where Moïse was killed.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Texans had an average decrease in home equity of about $19,000 year over year, according to property analytics company Cotality.—
Nick Wooten,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The most recent data shows that the company saw a nearly 25 percent plunge in sales, as well as a decrease in gross profit by more than 30 percent, in 2025.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the kitchen, ingredients are sourced locally to reduce carbon footprint and maintain freshness.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
-
To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The basketball bacchanal is the thing – swapping pep bands in end zone pits and dancing mascots and eight teams taking one court chasing after the same singular prize.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
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From there, pathways can lead to a dedicated social zone centered around a crackling fire pit or a comfortable sofa, perfect for late-evening conversations.—
Rosehill Gardens,
Kansas City Star,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In a bubble, too many properties on the market chasing too few buyers can touch off drastic price reductions, sending the overall market tumbling.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Neither Monroe nor Sterling Heights has independently evaluated whether the exemption has led to any measurable pollution reduction, nor has the state.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Next-gen atomic clock The breakthrough in miniaturisation is enabled by a quantum-optical technique known as coherent population trapping, which replaces the bulkier microwave-cavity approach used in traditional atomic clocks.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Small owls like screech owls often sleep in tree cavities or nest boxes, while barn owls live up to their name by seeking out barns and empty buildings.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Frost head to Vancouver for a matchup against the Goldeneyes on Saturday afternoon, with puck drop scheduled for 2 pm CT.—
Theodore Tollefson,
Twin Cities,
19 Mar. 2026
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If these drops continue, calcium and phosphorus levels could fall below healthy levels by the end of the century.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That makes the decline in checks alarming.—
Tony Plohetski,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The decline was driven by weaker profitability across several core businesses, particularly product transport and containerships, where profits fell sharply amid softer freight rates and rising vessel supply.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dent. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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