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
Relevance
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
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 dent
Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 25 July 2025
Programs meant to close the gap haven’t made a dent, and there’s reason to doubt that even reparations would deliver a lasting fix.
—Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 31 July 2025
Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 24 July 2025
But the Brewers and Cubs are denting the belief that the National League West is the league’s best division.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dent
Noun
Service cuts and price hikes would barely put a dent in the budget.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 25 July 2025
Programs meant to close the gap haven’t made a dent, and there’s reason to doubt that even reparations would deliver a lasting fix.
—Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 31 July 2025
Verb
Three singles from the era also dented the Hot 100.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 24 July 2025
But the Brewers and Cubs are denting the belief that the National League West is the league’s best division.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dent
Noun
-
With just 18 holes remaining, Ludvig Aberg and Harry Hall round out the top five at 8-under.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
-
One Netherlands international, according to the police, allowed his Porsche to be used by criminals and the car ended up riddled with bullet holes.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
However, the department’s own data notes this is a 26% year-over-year decrease from 2024.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Use dropped to a record low of 260,000 in 2023, which was a 6.8% decrease compared to 2022.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Over the past year, the co-CEOs have executed a plan to shave off $500 million in costs, sell off assets and reduce a workforce by more than 15 percent as Paramount shifts ownership.—
Erik Hayden,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Those fine particles can stick together tightly, reducing pore space for water to move through or percolate.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
This time around, earnings and revenue are both expected to decline year-over-year, and the options pits are pricing in a stock move of 10.9%, regardless of direction.—
Schaeffer's Investment Research,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
The agave is roasted in a pit with volcanic stones to give it a smoky flavor, but it’s not femented (the step in the production process that creates alcohol).—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The program also faces a 25% reduction in official recruiting visits during the upcoming season and a 14-week prohibition on football recruiting communications during its four-year probation period.—
Larry Lage,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Aug. 2025
-
However, there are some misgivings about what happens from there, with 55% odds of another reduction in October and just a 43% probability of a third move in December, according to the CME Group's FedWatch.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Incorporating xylitol gum into your dental routine reduces plaque accumulation and cavity formation.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
1 Aug. 2025
-
This erosion can weaken teeth over time, increasing their vulnerability to cavities and discomfort.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
Most of this year’s drop comes from traditional district-run schools, which now have 191,507 students, down 8,733 students from a year ago.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Now, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has received one of its biggest price drops yet just days before the Pixel 10 debuts.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The modest share price increase to A$42 came despite a decline in the company’s net profit from $13.7 billion to $10.2 billion in the 12 months to June 30.—
Tim Treadgold,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Black bear sightings on the rise Similar to bobcats, the black bear population is on the rise after experiencing a population decline in the 1800s due to hunting and habitat loss.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dent. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share