dent 1 of 2

noun

Definition of dentnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dent

2 of 2

verb

ˈdent How to pronounce dent (audio)
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dent
Noun
The Padres will get four more games in Los Angeles next week to put a dent in those numbers. — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 29 June 2026 View gallery - 6 images The global marine industry has been trying to reduce emissions from shipping for years, and making a dent in the 2%-3% of global CO2 emissions from moving 90% of the world's cargo would be no mean feat. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 28 June 2026
Verb
Nelson left the hood dented, officials said. — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026 Higher prices could cause consumers to hold onto devices longer, denting smartphone sales, according to Jeronimo. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dent
  1. hole
  2. decrease
  3. reduce
  4. pit
  5. reduction
  6. cavity
  7. drop
  8. decline
Noun
  • Mozeliak said the Angels should not consider a trade proposal in isolation, without considering how to flex their major-market muscles to fill whatever hole a trade might create.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The difference between these two measurements gives the exciton binding energy, a key quantity that determines how strongly the electron and hole remain bound together.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026
Definition of hole
Noun
  • Kuna residents would pay $20 more per $100,000 of property value in their taxes, while Nampa would see a decrease of $2 per $100,000, according to Nampa Fire Protection District Chief Kirk Carpenter.
    — Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 8 July 2026
  • While this natural decrease is not unique to Florida, its social, economic and demographic impacts may be more pronounced if the state is no longer a migrant magnet.
    — Karin Brewster, The Conversation, 8 July 2026
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • Derived from a Central African shrub, the drug's ability to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings were uncovered by accident, when Howard Lotsof, a 19-year old addicted to heroin, tried ibogaine out of curiosity in 1962.
    — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Displaying tactical discipline and superior talent, the English national team defeated Mexico 3-2 with a lineup reduced to 10 men on Sunday night.
    — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of reduce
Noun
  • Weeks before the fire pit incident, Robinson alleges that during a trip to Nashville to visit her grandfather who was in hospice care and has since died, Sandoval pushed her to the floor of their hotel and locked her out of their shared room.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • High-rise handlebars, upright ergonomics, and generous suspension travel give them the look of pit bikes that somehow escaped onto public roads.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
Definition of pit
Noun
  • In Cañon City, Colorado, authorities are aiming for a 20% to 30% reduction in water use while asking residents to voluntarily conserve outdoor water consumption.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • Voltage reductions were also happening earlier in the day in parts of Staten Island, Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Westchester, Con Edison spokesperson Jamie McShane told CNN.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of reduction
Noun
  • The pair were pushed into the body wherever swelling threatened a patient’s health, or exploration of an inner cavity was warranted.
    — Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
  • Other signals worth flagging to a dentist include bleeding or tender gums during brushing or flossing, frequent canker sores, an unusually dry mouth and a rising rate of new cavities despite consistent hygiene.
    — Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026
Definition of cavity
Noun
  • The patriotic ball drop is scheduled to air at midnight ET on CNN as July 3 turns into July 4 in Times Square.
    — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Tesla’s results – which came in above expectations – indicate the company may be recovering after two straight years of annual sales drops and the removal EV tax credits in the US, which has lowered the incentive for prospective American buyers.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
Definition of drop
Noun
  • If inflation is outpacing nominal interest rates, the real return on bonds and other income-producing assets declines or even becomes negative.
    — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • This decline has pinched profit margins in the 401(k) world, said Kai Richter, an attorney with Cohen Milstein who has long specialized in ERISA class-action cases.
    — Paul Kiel, ProPublica, 8 July 2026
Definition of decline

Browse Nearby Words

density
dent
dented
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Cite this Entry

“Dent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dent. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of dent for Spanish Speakers

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