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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dent
Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Feb. 2025
And the piping needed would put a small dent in the battery's capacity per volume if so.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2025
Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 19 Feb. 2025
The country produces more coffee than any other, but severe drought has dented its yields.
—Steve Kopack, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dent
Noun
If 99 workers are indeed laid off as part of these changes, that would make a sizable dent in the union.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Feb. 2025
And the piping needed would put a small dent in the battery's capacity per volume if so.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
Manchester United reported second-quarter financial results Wednesday, revealing a 12% overall revenue decline driven by the club’s absence from the UEFA Champions League, which dented broadcast revenue 42%.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 19 Feb. 2025
The country produces more coffee than any other, but severe drought has dented its yields.
—Steve Kopack, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dent
Noun
-
The second-deepest hole, the German Continental Deep Drilling Programme, stretches 5.6 miles.—
Brent Crane,
The New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Cracks and ridges in the ice constantly shifted the route to a permanent hole in the ice, named Ocean City, from which Hoppe and her team gathered hundreds of liters of seawater samples and hauled them back to the ship for analysis.—
Asher Elbein,
WIRED,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
In addition to a drop in homicides, Durham saw a 24% decrease in shooting incidents from 2023 to 2024 — though the number of people shot increased 6.8%, according to Durham Police Chief Patrice Andrews.—
Zachery Eanes,
Axios,
26 Feb. 2025
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Some will still see that number as low — combined with a decrease in points-per-game overall — and think that Danford isn’t evolving.—
Joshua Kloke,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The venue renovations have significantly increased hospitality and premium offerings with new pubs, clubs, restaurants and seating, while reducing the number of suites from 70 to 40.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Stay safe on wintry roads with these valuable winter driving tips from the NWS, and reduce the risk of accidents during challenging weather conditions.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Orange County Register,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Sliding glass doors open to a massive deck, one of the highlights of the home, that offers lots of lounge space, a fire pit, an al fresco dining spot, and fabulous views of the ocean, the downtown core, and the surrounding mountains.—
Emma Reynolds,
Robb Report,
27 Feb. 2025
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This charming A-frame is the ideal place to take in fresh mountain views and air while still enjoying wintery comforts like a fire pit (circled by modern chairs) and wood-burning stove.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Lift restrictions on shooting outside and in public spaces in L.A. (emulating NYC’s successful program) and offer a temporary reduction in permit fees in conjunction with loosening up notification requirements to reduce FilmLA’s staffing costs.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
1 Mar. 2025
-
The administration is planning a much broader reduction of its workforce.—
Stephen Fowler,
NPR,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The medical examiner also reported that there was evidence of fluid in Strain's chest cavity, but no water in his lungs, confusing the family on his cause of death.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA TODAY,
8 Mar. 2025
-
The glass sphere stopper lives underneath the cavity in the base of the piece.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appétit,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The drop had less to do with Kinder’s Q4 report (which was a lot more good than bad) and more to do with the fact that KMI shares had roughly doubled for the year heading into it.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
-
The collaboration features multiple chapters, with the superstar unveiling more items with each drop.—
Caché McClay,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The Associated Press pointed to the possibility of tariffs and a decline in consumer spending as the reasons for the earlier drop.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
-
It’s commonly accepted HR doctrine that after a large layoff, those who stay suffer a 20% decline in their job performance.—
Phil Blair,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dent. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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