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
Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
Under Mayor Michael Johnston, Denver has done better at providing shelter to people living on the street, has made a serious dent in crime, and is speeding up approval times for developments, Walker said.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 19 May 2026
The war has dented these pillars.
—Daniel Benaim, Time, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dent
Noun
San Francisco currently spends about $700 million to $800 million per year on homelessness, aided by the passage in 2018 of the Proposition C gross receipts tax on businesses with annual revenue greater than $50 million, but has yet to make a dent in its intractable homelessness problem.
—Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
Under Mayor Michael Johnston, Denver has done better at providing shelter to people living on the street, has made a serious dent in crime, and is speeding up approval times for developments, Walker said.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
Verb
To be sure, the higher rates haven't dented buying enthusiasm quite yet.
—Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 19 May 2026
The war has dented these pillars.
—Daniel Benaim, Time, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dent
Noun
-
Your pilot can also fly you over to Dent Island for your tee time at the 18-hole championship course.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
The sides or water bottle pockets end up with holes in them from rubbing against my tires, which makes pushing incredibly frustrating.—
Keely Cat-Wells,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
There was also a decrease in amniotic fluid, which protects the fetus and provides other benefits during pregnancy, the zoo said.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
-
Only 28% said Trump has handled the cost of living well, a six-point decrease since January, while the share of Republicans who said Trump has handled the cost of living well has declined 14 points since the beginning of the year.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Spirulina helps eliminate heavy metal build-up in the body, for instance; ginger and cumin reduce bloating; lecithin and gingko can improve memory.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Statistically, the drug reduced the risk of death by 60% compared with chemotherapy.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The guiding image of my process was not an outline, but the ball pit found at indoor playgrounds, beloved by children and feared by adults who carry hand sanitizer just for such activities.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
This was once the site of the deepest pit in the world.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The reason for the decline is largely attributable to a dramatic reduction in pregnancies among teens and young women — in part due to more accessible contraception — coupled with economic instability from the Great Recession, Marquez said.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
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Today, global trade governance is increasingly shaped by sustainability requirements, supply chain traceability, carbon reduction targets, compliance standards and digital transparency.—
Li Jun,
Footwear News,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Unlike standard carbon filters, these molecular cages force PFAS molecules to clump together inside a cavity, achieving a 98 percent removal rate.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
3 June 2026
-
The bees will form a temporary cluster, hanging out while scouts search the surrounding area for a more permanent home in hollow spaces like tree cavities or, occasionally, the walls of a home.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
That 10-goal swing explains most of the standings drop.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
That excellent start to the season had rapidly become a useful buffer against the drop.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
SoftBank Group dropped over 10% amid a broader decline in Asia tech stocks.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
-
Consistent short sleep, however, has been linked to measurable declines in cognitive performance and day-to-day functioning, while chronic sleep deprivation is associated with more serious long-term health risks.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dent. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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