DENTS Synonyms: 177 Similar and Opposite Words

dents 1 of 2

noun

plural of dent

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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dents

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of dent

as in reduces

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 dents

Noun

Companies like Flock allow users to conduct searches based on characteristics like vehicle make, model and color, as well as other distinctive vehicle features like dents and stickers. — Abigail Hall, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026 When shopping for apples, choose fruits that are firm and free from bruises and dents. — Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 18 Sep. 2026 Rust on two tomatillo sauce cans and rust with dents on five creamy mushroom sauce cans drew Stop Sales on all seven cans. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026 Law enforcement agencies have partnered with the company to speed up investigations by having access to a database that logs vehicle information like license plate, make, model, dents or modifications. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026 The iconic desert cruiser turns out to be just a chunk of rubber and metal with believable scratches and dents. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026 Address dents, holes, and scratches before priming; paint will not hide major surface defects. — Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Aug. 2026 Tracks Check that the tracks on both sides of the door are properly aligned and free of dents or debris. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026 Regularly inspect your spatulas for any sign of wear, including loose components, cracks, scratches or dents. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Verb

The shaky outing continued Sasaki’s post-breakthrough slide, but the setback barely dents the Dodgers’ commanding division cushion, with San Diego still eight games back in the standings. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026 No quantity of houses or yachts dents it. — Douglas P. McCormick, Fortune, 23 June 2026 What happened next haunts the dreams, dents the bravura of every New Yorker. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 June 2026 The growth further dents the case for an interest rate cut, as US monetary policymakers discuss possibly raising the cost of borrowing. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 2 June 2026 Which is harder — landing a human on the moon or hitting a home run that dents the top of a foul pole in a major-league game? — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 8 May 2026 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

The golf course will remain open to the public throughout the renovation effort, although individual holes may temporarily close while work is underway, the agency said.

— Matthew Daly, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
That might mean using vintage fabric to patch holes in armchairs or rugs, rather than replacing them altogether.

— Hannah Coates, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of holes

Noun

The company made headcount reductions at AOL, Eventbrite, and Vimeo, following the acquisitions.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
During the interim period between presidents, the university convened a committee to find short-term solutions to some issues such as the reductions in graduate students and grant funding.

— Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of reductions

Verb

Billable hour pressure The billable hour is central to the business model of many law firms, but when AI significantly reduces the time lawyers spend sifting through and drafting documents, the economics are no longer so straightforward.

— Lindsay Dodgson, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
It can also be equipped with an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system that reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by up to 70 percent to meet IMO Tier III regulations.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of reduces

Noun

The average gas price dropped a few cents a gallon in South Florida this week after double-digit decreases last week.

— Miami Herald Staff Report, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
Separately, several research groups are exploring whether heat can help treat depression, building on a landmark study that showed meaningful decreases in symptoms after one session in a special infrared machine.

— Will Stone, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of decreases

Noun

Some social media users claim that their boyfriend’s bad habits resulted in everything from cavities to recurring bacterial vaginosis.

— Georgia Casey, Allure, 9 Oct. 2026
Why your mouth matters beyond your teeth An imbalanced oral microbiome has been linked to much more than cavities and bad breath.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of cavities

Noun

Some have indentations meant to gather rainwater, and some have multiple points of entry and egress, all of which the rats apparently appreciate.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Like the experimental teeth, the ones from Neanderthal archaeological sites had the same overlapping small fractures, shallow indentations, and shallow scratches.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026