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
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Recent Examples of dent
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025
Photos and videos clearly show the damage to the aircraft's fuselage, including punctures and dents, which strongly point to a strike by an air defense missile.
—Ellie Cook, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Russia’s ability to provide military force to its allies meant its security services were in demand in both the Middle East and Africa, but the fall of Assad is likely to dent that demand.
—Alexander Baunov, Foreign Affairs, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dent 
Noun
The unending proliferation of medical dramas on TV should mean that one more new medical drama barely makes a dent.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025
Photos and videos clearly show the damage to the aircraft's fuselage, including punctures and dents, which strongly point to a strike by an air defense missile.
—Ellie Cook, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024
Verb
To the Russians' credit, U.S. and European sanctions haven't dented Russia's economic output as much as Western policymakers anticipated.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Russia’s ability to provide military force to its allies meant its security services were in demand in both the Middle East and Africa, but the fall of Assad is likely to dent that demand.
—Alexander Baunov, Foreign Affairs, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dent
Noun
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But the concerns about how the state ended up in the budget hole to begin with, remains central to the blame game.—
Mikenzie Frost,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Jan. 2025
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Listen to this article Harris English finished with a flurry Friday afternoon in the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open, carding birdies on his final three holes for a 6-under 66 and a one-stroke lead over Andrew Novak heading into Saturday’s final round.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Overall car sales are expected to drop as autonomous taxis reduce the need for personal ownership of cars, with a decrease in traditional revenues for automotive suppliers like Valeo.—
Sabbir Rangwala,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
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Walz’s recommendations come after Democratic-Farmer-Labor lawmakers’ 2023 two-year budget grew spending by nearly 40% to $70.7 billion — though some of that was one-time spending, so Walz’s cuts would not account for a more than $4 billion decrease.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Working with a sliding scale provider, as mentioned above, is another great way to reduce costs.—
Kimberly Zapata,
Parents,
27 Jan. 2025
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In an interview with Fox News Digital, Takahashi said this new report underscores how carbonated water impacts weight loss by promoting the sensation of fullness, which can reduce food intake and lower overall calorie consumption.—
Angelica Stabile,
Fox News,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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These pathological behaviors pit colleagues against each other, creating a hostile environment of instability and chaos that shifts the focus of their toxic behaviour.—
Jason Walker,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
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In homage to stock car racing’s roots in North Carolina, Red Bull Non-Stock 600 pits teams against one another in a go-kart race around an oval track.—
AvidXchange Music Factory,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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More than half have started integrating money management into their self-care routines, with 36% reporting a tangible reduction in financial anxiety as a result.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
24 Jan. 2025
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In similar trials conducted in Australia, researchers saw reductions of up to 98%.—
Heide Brandes,
thehustle.co,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Over the centuries, the decomposing bodies left cavities inside the hardened mineral casings.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
9 Jan. 2025
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The five-year survival rate for all types of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers is 91%—meaning that 91% of people with lip cancer are still alive five years after their diagnosis.—
Carrie Madormo, RN,
Health,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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His drop has turned into a days-long news story, in part because the Ravens now have three tight ends each with one year left on their contracts: Jackson’s security blanket, Andrews; Isaiah Likely, a quickly ascending pass catcher; and perhaps the best blocking tight end of the trio, Charlie Kolar.—
Sam Cohn,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2025
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The conditions of the game are believed to have played a role in the result and have benefited the Eagles, as Rams players committed multiple drops, fumbles and incomplete passes that appeared to be impacted by the snow.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The statistics are alarming: teen mental health has plummeted since the widespread adoption of social media, with a particularly sharp decline following the pandemic’s surge in screen time.—
Raj Goyle,
New York Daily News,
24 Jan. 2025
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That’s all the more important for Champagne producers, as the sector has taken a nosedive in the past few years: Shipments fell 9.2 percent last year, and companies such a Mumm posted double-digit declines in sales during the most recent fiscal year.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near dent
Cite this Entry
“Dent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dent. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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