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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dent
Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
As conversations continue around Gaza's reconstruction amid the fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire, doctors and humanitarian workers are urging that efforts be focused on addressing the malnutrition crisis, noting that simply flooding the zone with aid won't make a meaningful dent.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2025
Jason Ma, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
Her candor hasn’t been dented—this is a woman who clearly feels and cares deeply about the world.
—Helen Mirren, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dent
Noun
Even worse, scratches, dents, and imperfections can stand out dramatically.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
As conversations continue around Gaza's reconstruction amid the fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire, doctors and humanitarian workers are urging that efforts be focused on addressing the malnutrition crisis, noting that simply flooding the zone with aid won't make a meaningful dent.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
In contrast, China’s hot stock market may dent gold’s attractiveness there.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
Her candor hasn’t been dented—this is a woman who clearly feels and cares deeply about the world.
—Helen Mirren, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dent
Noun
-
The Dodgers could add Tucker to fill the massive hole in their outfield.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The HLSLongsleeve base layer features integrated thumb holes and an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating of at least 40.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Heart rate decreases during stretching, which could signify the body entering a calm state.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
-
According to Nexstar, overall Q3 ad sales stood at $476 million, a decrease of $146 million from the third-quarter of 2024.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Tax rises would likely act as another damper on inflation by reducing consumer demand.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Researchers also stressed that the synergistic effect of K+ and C3N4 co-intercalation lowers the energy barrier, reduces the electrostatic interaction, and enhances the kinetics and structural stability.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The buoyant spirit is also aided by Karla Grotting’s effervescent choreography, the Seuss-faithful designs of Tom Butsch and David Kay Mickelsen, and a nine-piece pit orchestra that enhances the moods with some effective musical underpinning beneath the dialogue.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
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The highest profile match-ups in the 94 categories — and the most anticipated by far — pit Beyonce, who has a field-leading 11 nominations against Swift, who has six.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday ordered a reduction in flights due to stress on unpaid air traffic controllers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Nov. 2025
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Local travelers still will most likely continue to see impacts at MCI, as 32 of the 40 airports on the FAA reduction list are severed nonstop from MCI by passenger airlines, a spokesman for the Kansas City Aviation Department said last week.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Voids can contribute to sinkholes as the ground collapses into the underlying cavities.—
Stuart Dyos,
Nashville Tennessean,
11 Nov. 2025
-
John Brown is filling his last cavity.—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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As Arizona squeezes more money from its decreasing share of river water, freighting every drop with critical industries and a booming housing market, the price of water is bound to keep climbing.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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To remove rust, sprinkle a bit of Bar Keepers Friend or baking soda over the affected area, add a drop of water to create a paste, and gently scrub with a soft sponge.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
However, the league is looking to its next steps to after the 2025 season saw a 5% decline in game attendance, according to Sports Business Journal.—
Jessica Golden,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
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But their party went into swift decline during the Cold War that began in the late 1940s and barely exists today.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dent. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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