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
Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
The helmet sustained a small dent but no permanent damage.
—Ryan Brennan
april 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026
Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
Nike’s recovery was already coming at a tough time as a global trade war dented its efforts to improve profitability and drive sales from inflation-weary shoppers.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge,jessica Golden,jacob Pramuk, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dent
Noun
The helmet sustained a small dent but no permanent damage; restorers will need to reglue a previous repair.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
The helmet sustained a small dent but no permanent damage.
—Ryan Brennan
april 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
Being divisive hasn’t dented its sales numbers.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
Nike’s recovery was already coming at a tough time as a global trade war dented its efforts to improve profitability and drive sales from inflation-weary shoppers.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge,jessica Golden,jacob Pramuk, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dent
Noun
-
Round pegs found round holes all over the pitch.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
To make your yard appealing to a wide variety of bees, install several bee houses with nesting holes of varying sizes.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
They were eliminated from playoff contention with six games to spare, a decrease of 13 games from last year.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
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That decrease is partly because the venture giant began to distribute capital back to investors from its first three funds, according to sources familiar with the matter, who spoke anonymously to discuss private business dealings.—
Ben Weiss,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Keep your focus inward, reduce noise, and protect your energy.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Avoid planting garlic near peas, beans, and asparagus, as garlic may compete with these vegetables for nutrients (particularly nitrogen), inhibit their growth, and reduce their yield.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The new picture also captures shadowy fractures and pits that hint at large volumes of water ice still buried beneath the surface, as well as numerous impact craters surrounded by the detritus of their own explosive formation.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The show operates a remote pit, meaning a majority of the musicians playing the music live are not in the theatre or under the stage in the traditional orchestra pit.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Parents of students with disabilities have expressed concern about civil rights cases closing too soon and difficulties of knowing who to talk to after the reduction in force occurred.—
Lexi Lonas Cochran,
The Hill,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The Perseverance rover, which is on Mars collecting rock and soil samples, could face spending reductions.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That bacteria can then enter a patient’s open cavity, leading to infection.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Many communities have chosen to add fluoride to the tap water for decades, as a public health measure that is estimated to reduce cavities by around 25%.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
To make one, fill a small saucepan with water, then add lemon, orange, or grapefruit slices, fresh rosemary or mint sprigs, and a few drops of a pure essential oil of your choice, Martinez explains.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
16 Apr. 2026
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This season, the goal since first puck drop has been the ultimate prize for the Colorado Avalanche -- the Stanley Cup.—
Jack Lowenstein,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But researchers who study fertility trends say the decline is driven by forces that have little to do with contraception access and that restricting it is unlikely to produce more births.—
Dr. Céline Gounder,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Cities and towns around the state with large immigrant populations have seen steep enrollment declines over the last year, says the Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance, as families have been deported or voluntarily returned to their home countries amidst heightened anxiety.—
State House News Service,
Boston Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dent. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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