1
as in holes
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 reductions
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 reduces
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 dents
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Dec. 2025
Keep yours protected from scratches and dents with this leather zip case.
—Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2025
Additionally, because it’s made from stainless steel, this tumbler is resistant to dents and drops.
—Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
Even worse, scratches, dents, and imperfections can stand out dramatically.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
The roomy, high-cut ABS shell fits a variety of head shapes and shrugs off dents, while adjustable sizing ensures comfort.
—Outside, 21 Oct. 2025
The beige paint on this one was faded and the surface had some dents and rough spots.
—Laura Lane, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
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
Fill in any deeper scratches or dents with a wax wood repair kit to match.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
Max Bultman, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
The Lakers, like the Celtics, are tenants in their arena, which dents their ability to drive revenue from concerts and other events.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Whether this latest controversy dents MrBeast's online empire or prompts wider scrutiny of influencer accountability remains to be seen.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
For example, if a falling tree branch breaks your windshield or hail dents your car, comprehensive coverage can pay for repairs.
—Brandi D. Addison, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
Anyway, dents are coming for the Patriots next year when their road will get much rockier, and all of this schedule conversation will inevitably subside.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Dec. 2025
Keep yours protected from scratches and dents with this leather zip case.
—Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2025
Additionally, because it’s made from stainless steel, this tumbler is resistant to dents and drops.
—Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
Even worse, scratches, dents, and imperfections can stand out dramatically.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
The roomy, high-cut ABS shell fits a variety of head shapes and shrugs off dents, while adjustable sizing ensures comfort.
—Outside, 21 Oct. 2025
The beige paint on this one was faded and the surface had some dents and rough spots.
—Laura Lane, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
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
Fill in any deeper scratches or dents with a wax wood repair kit to match.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
The Red Wings’ penalty kill has been better on the whole this season, though an 0-for-3 showing certainly dents their numbers and drops them to 80 percent on the season.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
The Lakers, like the Celtics, are tenants in their arena, which dents their ability to drive revenue from concerts and other events.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Whether this latest controversy dents MrBeast's online empire or prompts wider scrutiny of influencer accountability remains to be seen.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
For example, if a falling tree branch breaks your windshield or hail dents your car, comprehensive coverage can pay for repairs.
—Brandi D. Addison, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dents
Noun
-
Officers saw multiple bullet holes on the metal fence dividing the properties and shell casings in his backyard, the affidavit said.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Add a pass rusher with the first pick, a receiver in Round 2 and then spend heavily on patching holes in free agency.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Even short-term or partial reductions in alcohol intake can benefit your heart, liver, and metabolic health.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
8 Jan. 2026
-
However, the pace of reductions is expected to slow considerably this year, with markets pricing in just two cuts and the most recent projections from Fed officials pointing to just one.—
Jeff Cox,Eamon Javers,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This enables continuous charging and reduces the need for large onboard batteries.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
-
As a stocky playmaker who rarely sprints and often reduces the game to walking pace in an increasingly breakneck sport populated by iron men, Cherki’s timing of arrival into English football is where the dichotomy lies.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission issued an alert in December 2024 warning against using fire pits that burn alcohol or liquid fuels due to the devices violating a voluntary safety standard.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Rubbish pits also contained various food waste, including animal bones and oyster shells.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Prices for a list of name-brand items at Walmart, Woodman's, Meijer, and Target all saw slight decreases from November.—
Francesca Pica,
jsonline.com,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Some reports indicate decreases in blood pressure, while others suggest that ginseng can help normalize low blood pressure.—
Jessica Swirble,
Verywell Health,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Plaque is the sticky film of germs that can cause cavities and make your breath smell bad.—
Linda Bartoshuk,
The Conversation,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Small owls like screech owls often sleep in tree cavities or nest boxes, while barn owls live up to their name by seeking out barns and empty buildings.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Mix a combination of two teaspoons of cream of tartar and a few drops of lemon juice to form a paste.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Reformation Lluvia Dress As Reformation gears up for its 2026 collection drops, the store is marking down some of last year’s best-selling sweaters, dresses, shoes, and pants.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
At one grave site found just a few miles from Damascus, more than 20 indentations of sunken sand mark individual mass graves where Moustafa, the activist, says about 20,000 bodies are believed to be buried.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Smaller prints, some just an inch or two long, show tiny animals trotting or darting across the mud, while mid-sized carnivores left their three-toed marks complete with claw indentations.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dents. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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