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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dent
Tom Vanden Brook, USA Today, 18 June 2025
Carradine said the state cuts won’t impact Head Start but will make a big dent in state provider funding.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025
Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2025
The revelations have not appeared to dent his support among right-wing voters, many of whom see the accusations as politically motivated.
—Arkansas Online, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dent
Noun
Israel has made a significant dent in Iran’s ballistic missile capability, and its air defenses, the U.S. official said.
—Tom Vanden Brook, USA Today, 18 June 2025
Carradine said the state cuts won’t impact Head Start but will make a big dent in state provider funding.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, dangerous exchanges of missiles and drones between Iran and Israel raised the stakes but also further dented Iran’s aura of power, with Israel claiming to have neutralized many of Iran’s air defenses.
—Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2025
The revelations have not appeared to dent his support among right-wing voters, many of whom see the accusations as politically motivated.
—Arkansas Online, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dent
Noun
-
The venue’s sixth hole is a demanding 574 yards, though the back nine eases up with two par-3 offerings.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
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On Sunday, Spaun became the first golfer in U.S. Open history to win the tournament despite playing three consecutive holes over par in the final round.—
Don Yaeger,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Noun
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With ominous luxury reports touting a 25 percent decrease in sales for some of the top names in fashion, there is a bright spot in the sector: India.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
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San Diego’s 2025 homeless count showed a decrease to 9,905 people, down from over 10,600 in 2024.—
Mahdi E Diab,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
The City Council voted 7-0 June 10 to approve an ordinance to reduce the latest time in which peddlers and solicitors can knock on doors, ring doorbells or otherwise try to get admittance at residences from 9 p.m. Gayatri Agnew, Ward 1 City Council member, abstained from voting.—
Thomas Saccente,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 2025
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Inflation data of late has shown little pass-through so far as companies burn off inventory accumulated in the run-up to the tariff announcement, and amid concerns that consumer demand is slowing and reducing pricing power.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
20 June 2025
Noun
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There are complimentary vintage bicycles for guests to explore the grounds with gardens and fire pits.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
27 June 2025
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Archaeologists found storage trenches, part of a defensive wall, sections of a key road, the outlines of soldiers’ homes and numerous pits, officials said.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
26 June 2025
Noun
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In contrast to the staffing reductions, the DOJ budget request outlines robust investments in key priorities, including nearly $11 billion to combat violent crime and gangs, $10 billion for drug enforcement, and over $3.6 billion for immigration enforcement and border security.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
17 June 2025
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The reductions have been championed by the new leadership inside the Justice Department.—
June 17,
CBS News,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
Thanks to fluoridated water, childhood and adult cavities have been reduced by about 25%.—
Samantha Korn,
Sun Sentinel,
24 June 2025
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Each of those frequencies creates its own quantum resonator in the same cavity, with its own set of modes.—
John Timmer,
ArsTechnica,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Currently, Fancy Teddy is sold directly direct-to-consumer with just seven limited drops released.—
Alexandra Pastore,
Footwear News,
18 June 2025
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One investor alleges Coinbase delayed the breach disclosure to avoid a stock drop.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
18 June 2025
Noun
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America’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan also contributed significantly to the squandering of its unipolar moment and setting off the decline of the American century.—
Narges Bajoghli,
Time,
19 June 2025
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Continued decline in five-on-five production (which coincided with Patrice Bergeron’s retirement).—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dent. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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