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
Relevance
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
Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
The Jets know that needs to start up front, where the defensive line has struggled to make a dent as a pass-rushing unit.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Sarah Min, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Most shoes have a firm outer, which takes up more space in your suitcase and can easily be dented if not packed correctly.
—Rebecca Shinners, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dent
Noun
There is no porthole, but dents in the wall mark where nails must once have held up maps or schedules, maybe photographs from home, and slotted into a niche in the wall is a small gilt mirror.
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
The Jets know that needs to start up front, where the defensive line has struggled to make a dent as a pass-rushing unit.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
The data has grown more important in recent weeks, as the prospect of higher inflation possibly denting the interest rate outlook is considered a major risk for equities.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Most shoes have a firm outer, which takes up more space in your suitcase and can easily be dented if not packed correctly.
—Rebecca Shinners, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dent
Noun
-
Buffalo’s forward depth has already been tested early in the season, and Danforth is a versatile player who helps the Sabres plug holes in the bottom six.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
When the Chicago rat hole went viral, Magle and his team considered how the mark was made.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
One study in British Columbia found that sea star wasting disease led to a 311 percent increase in the population of medium-sized sea urchins and a 30 percent decrease in kelp density over two years.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Oct. 2025
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The increase in population growth last year drove the neutral rate higher, the decrease in population growth this year is driving it lower, and that means that policy was much looser last year than people thought.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Now, many employers are looking to harness the power of AI—initially for mundane and repetitive tasks and eventually for more complicated jobs—to reduce the need to maintain the same level of human staffers on their payrolls.—
Jason Del Rey,
Fortune,
15 Oct. 2025
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And drivers can reduce the risk of their cars being hit.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
An outdoor swimming pool, spa, fire pits and grills will be located on the third floor between two taller sections of the building, according to plans submitted to the city.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Oct. 2025
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Outside, a private entertainment paradise awaits with a vanishing-edge pool, sitting areas with fire pits, a drop-down screen and projector, and outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven — all of which takes in an expansive view of the second fairway and open sky.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Takaichi agreed to back JIP policies such as a reduction in parliamentary seats, free high school education and a two-year pause on food consumption tax, according to Reuters.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The fields will also be reduced, thanks to new membership reduction measures that take effect next January.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Plants to Always Leave Standing The dry stems of certain native perennials offer excellent nesting habitats for around 25% of native bee species that utilize cavity nesting.—
Benjamin Vogt,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Her entire stomach had pushed into her chest cavity through an opening in the diaphragm, a muscle that divides the torso, and was wrapped around itself.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
New additives like preservatives, flavorings and vitamins were infused into them, and they were packaged in novel ways to withstand hard helicopter drops, wet beach landings and days at the bottom of rucksacks.—
Alice Callahan,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Drag performance, with its abundance of wigs, campy makeup and death drops, is ready-made for Halloween.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That research has also linked ultraprocessed foods to health concerns like obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cognitive decline and cardiovascular disease.—
Alice Callahan,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
These participants tended to report good physical health and strong social relationships, but their testing revealed small declines in memory and emotional awareness.—
Faye Chiu,
CNN Money,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dent. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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