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
Adam Duxter, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Lufthansa pilots conduct two-day work stoppage With fuel prices making a dent in overall air capacity, the problem is exacerbated by a pilots’ strike at Lufthansa that began Monday morning and will continue through Tuesday night.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2026
Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
Lyon's hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League were further dented after a 0-0 draw at Angers, extending its winless run in all competitions to nine matches.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dent
Noun
Now the state is eyeing two potential solutions to try and make a dent.
—Adam Duxter, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Lufthansa pilots conduct two-day work stoppage With fuel prices making a dent in overall air capacity, the problem is exacerbated by a pilots’ strike at Lufthansa that began Monday morning and will continue through Tuesday night.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
Hail the size of golf balls or even baseballs is the biggest concern, which could dent cars, shatter windshields and damage roofs.
—Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
Lyon's hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League were further dented after a 0-0 draw at Angers, extending its winless run in all competitions to nine matches.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dent
Noun
-
The Carolina Panthers didn’t have many holes to fill after a successful free agency, but there were a couple.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
So, nine holes into his pro-am practice round on Thursday, hours before the real competition started, Retief Goosen changed his grip.—
Stan Awtrey,
AJC.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
According to Gary’s 2025 Public Safety Report, the city’s homicide rate is its lowest since 1970, and fatal shootings decreased from 133 incidents in 2024 to 101 in 2025, which is a 24% decrease.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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The decrease in students also means a decrease in state funding for next school year.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Connecticut’s Climate Progress report, required every three years by the state legislature, shows how Connecticut is continuing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
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Companies are taking steps to reduce their plastic consumption, according to Melissa Bastos, Cotton Incorporated director of corporate strategy and insights.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And the best way to get that track position is to leapfrog others on pit road.—
Jordan Bianchi,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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There’s al fresco dining for eight and a fire-pit meant for roasting s’mores.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On Friday, swaps markets reflected around a 40% chance of a reduction by then, rising from about 20% after the Justice Department dropped its investigation into the Fed.—
Michael MacKenzie,
Bloomberg,
26 Apr. 2026
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Interior Secretary Doug Burgum defended the budget proposal on Capitol Hill last week, telling senators that the visitor experience to parks can be improved even while spending and staff reductions are made.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That bacteria can then enter a patient’s open cavity, leading to infection.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Pulmonary doctors came and, in this semipublic space, used a large needle to remove three liters of fluid from Andrej’s right lung cavity.—
Elisabeth Rosenthal,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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After a tough 2025 that saw revenue drop and its Woodspin joint venture with Suzano fall apart, the Finnish fiber maker has spent the past year regrouping.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
30 Apr. 2026
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With Leeds not playing in the league last weekend, and three of the other at-risk teams winning, Opta’s supercomputer has stayed strong on the current projections for those who are most likely to face the drop.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The in-flight tests yielded a substantial decline in soot and ice with 100 percent SAF.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Correction-level declines occurred in 71% of those years, versus only 44% in other years.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dent. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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