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
Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
One of these conditions involves any severe corrosion, dents, or cracks in the pipes.
—Molly McCrea, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
Cans can be dropped during shipping, bumped together while being stacked on store shelves, or stacked too heavily, creating small dents over time.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2026
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
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
Uneven tire wear, low tire pressure, sidewall bulges or blisters and dents in wheel rims.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
One of these conditions involves any severe corrosion, dents, or cracks in the pipes.
—Molly McCrea, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
Cans can be dropped during shipping, bumped together while being stacked on store shelves, or stacked too heavily, creating small dents over time.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2026
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
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
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That marks a break from longstanding practice, as regulators have long relied on the VSL to value mortality reductions in regulatory cost-benefit analysis.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The disaster shook public confidence, led to speed reductions and temporarily paused construction on new lines, but no major incidents have been reported in the 15 years since, even as the network has continued to expand.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
According to the company, this reduces inventory burdens, streamlines logistics, and shortens installation timelines.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
This greatly reduces environmental concerns related to legacy waste.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Woodward training facility at Copper Mountain, Colorado, allows skiers and snowboarders to practice their spin and flip tricks into foam pits and onto airbags before taking them to snow.—
Michelle Bruton,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The 6001 America Center building features an outdoor seating area, fire pits, collaboration spaces, and courts for basketball, pickleball, and other sports.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Those decreases have been offset by an increase in the amount of square footage owned by the state government.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Additionally, Peloton has experienced subscriber loss, with some quarters registering slight decreases in connected fitness memberships.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The bubble-like structures and carved cavities in the glowing hydrogen are classic signatures of stellar feedback, the process by which newborn stars reshape the cloud that made them.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
No eczema, no cavities in her teeth, nothing.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Continue reading … PANIC PLAYBOOK – School board members slam 'fearmongering' over immigration as attendance drops.—
,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
As the Universe expands and cools, the cross-section drops, and eventually, dark matter stops annihilating away or interacting with anything else in any appreciable way.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
During impact tests, samples with larger grains continuously showed shallower indentations.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Dents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dents. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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