dent 1 of 2

noun

Definition of dentnext
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

dent

2 of 2

verb

ˈdent How to pronounce dent (audio)
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
Noun
High-profile eliminations of wasteful spending (some real, others not) won’t make a dent in federal spending. — Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025 But such seizures at the border have not made an appreciable dent in American drug consumption. — Edward Alden, Foreign Affairs, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
The new capital framework will raise the amount of capital banks will be required to have to lend to customers thereby denting their profit. — Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025 Obviously various scandals continue to dent their popularity. — Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dent
  1. hole
  2. decrease
  3. reduce
  4. pit
  5. reduction
  6. cavity
  7. drop
  8. decline
Noun
  • Fill the planting hole with garden soil, pressing the soil down gently with your hand.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2025
  • To prevent wildfires under a red flag warning, follow these steps: If burning is allowed in your location, make sure all burn barrels are fitted with a weighted metal cover that has holes no bigger than 3/4 of an inch.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of hole
Noun
  • The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported the program resulted in a 20% decrease in gambling activities after just a single school year.
    — Adam Hudacek, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Ghrelin, an appetite stimulant, rises when you are sleep-deprived, and leptin decreases.
    — Judy Stone, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • These layoffs reduced staffing at some local weather forecast offices to threadbare levels, causing some to reduce their services.
    — Andrew Freedman, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Although reducing the property tax burden could provide significant benefits to business owners and homeowners, there’s no guarantee that landlords would pass those savings on to their tenants.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of reduce
Noun
  • In addition, federal dollars have gone to replacing over 45 outdated pit or camping toilets at 17 different parks, forests and boat launch facilities across the state, ensuring recreational facilities are kept safe and clean, according to DEEP.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The walk-out basement includes a gym, wine cellar, and an outdoor space with a large deck, fire pit and hot tub.
    — Sara B. Hansen, The Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of pit
Noun
  • Regardless of what a full-year funding measure might include, the president has statutory authority to propose spending reductions to Congress.
    — Doug Criscitello, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Higher inflation could affect the Fed’s planned reduction of interest rates.
    — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of reduction
Noun
  • In some areas, the level of naturally occurring fluoride in the water is already at a level that can prevent cavities.
    — Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The mineral strengthens teeth and reduces cavities.
    — Amy Feldman, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of cavity
Noun
  • Visitors can admire its thunderous drop from various aerial viewpoints or take a walk along the valley floor for a different perspective.
    — David Nikel, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • And the rest of the presidential administration has been eager to back up his claims, with White House senior counselor Peter Navarro saying that Trump’s policies caused the price drop.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of drop
Noun
  • Some believe that the back-and-forth movement on tariffs, associated stock market volatility, and marked declines in consumer confidence have set the stage for a significant economic downturn in America's future.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
  • However, the rising demand for financial aid and the decline in international applications pose significant challenges.
    — Scott White, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of decline

Browse Nearby Words

dent
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dent. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on dent

Nglish: Translation of dent for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All