1
as in holes
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 reductions
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 reduces
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 dents
Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
One of these conditions involves any severe corrosion, dents, or cracks in the pipes.
—Molly McCrea, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
Cans can be dropped during shipping, bumped together while being stacked on store shelves, or stacked too heavily, creating small dents over time.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2026
Anyway, dents are coming for the Patriots next year when their road will get much rockier, and all of this schedule conversation will inevitably subside.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Dec. 2025
Keep yours protected from scratches and dents with this leather zip case.
—Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2025
Additionally, because it’s made from stainless steel, this tumbler is resistant to dents and drops.
—Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
Even worse, scratches, dents, and imperfections can stand out dramatically.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
The roomy, high-cut ABS shell fits a variety of head shapes and shrugs off dents, while adjustable sizing ensures comfort.
—Outside, 21 Oct. 2025
Max Bultman, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
The Lakers, like the Celtics, are tenants in their arena, which dents their ability to drive revenue from concerts and other events.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Whether this latest controversy dents MrBeast's online empire or prompts wider scrutiny of influencer accountability remains to be seen.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
For example, if a falling tree branch breaks your windshield or hail dents your car, comprehensive coverage can pay for repairs.
—Brandi D. Addison, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
Uneven tire wear, low tire pressure, sidewall bulges or blisters and dents in wheel rims.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
One of these conditions involves any severe corrosion, dents, or cracks in the pipes.
—Molly McCrea, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
Cans can be dropped during shipping, bumped together while being stacked on store shelves, or stacked too heavily, creating small dents over time.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2026
Anyway, dents are coming for the Patriots next year when their road will get much rockier, and all of this schedule conversation will inevitably subside.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Dec. 2025
Keep yours protected from scratches and dents with this leather zip case.
—Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2025
Additionally, because it’s made from stainless steel, this tumbler is resistant to dents and drops.
—Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
Even worse, scratches, dents, and imperfections can stand out dramatically.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
The roomy, high-cut ABS shell fits a variety of head shapes and shrugs off dents, while adjustable sizing ensures comfort.
—Outside, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
The Red Wings’ penalty kill has been better on the whole this season, though an 0-for-3 showing certainly dents their numbers and drops them to 80 percent on the season.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
The Lakers, like the Celtics, are tenants in their arena, which dents their ability to drive revenue from concerts and other events.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Whether this latest controversy dents MrBeast's online empire or prompts wider scrutiny of influencer accountability remains to be seen.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
For example, if a falling tree branch breaks your windshield or hail dents your car, comprehensive coverage can pay for repairs.
—Brandi D. Addison, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dents
Noun
-
At the city’s public latrines, 36 holes upon which people took their comfort breaks line the walls above a drainage system.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
-
A bit set is also an important addition to your home workshop—look for one with Phillips, square, and star bits to accommodate different types of screws, along with a few drill bits to create pilot holes.—
Kate Donovan,
Martha Stewart,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While anticipated, the cutbacks were deeper than expected, resulting in the shutdown of the Post’s renowned sports section, the elimination of its photography staff and sharp reductions in personnel responsible for coverage of metropolitan Washington and overseas.—
David Bauder,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
While anticipated, the cutbacks were deeper than expected, resulting in the shutdown of the Post’s renowned sports section, the elimination of its photography staff and sharp reductions in personnel responsible for coverage of metropolitan Washington and overseas.—
David Bauder,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
By leveraging light to enhance oxygen electrochemistry, the approach reduces energy losses and extends device lifetime without relying on precious metals.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The hostage standoff ultimately reduces both men into victims, revealing where power really lies.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Hosts are responsible for keeping the campground and fire pits clean, performing basic maintenance, restocking the toilets, and assisting visiting campers with check-in.—
Outside,
Outside,
4 Feb. 2026
-
On-site pickleball courts are already seeing action, and outdoor fire pits, hammocks, gardens, and a dog park can be found throughout the property’s 11 acres.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Visibility can vary rapidly in any area, with sudden decreases to near zero in only a few feet.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
At those levels, oxygen decreases, organ damage can occur, and fish become more vulnerable to disease.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For instance, studying subsurface cavities is a primary goal of an instrument called the Subsurface Radar Sounder, or SRS, planned for the EnVision mission being developed by the European Space Agency, which can penetrate the planet's surface to depths of several hundred meters.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
9 Feb. 2026
-
That, despite the fact that cavities are largely considered to be avoidable.—
Andrea Kane,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Sharp drops hit Wall Street on Thursday as technology stocks fell and bitcoin plunged again to roughly half its record price set last fall.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Kidder says if scent is the goal, then a few drops of essential oil mixed into baking soda works well.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The indentations in the squishy mud harkened to a creature that had webbed toes and distinct claws.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Behind the case of salumi and a variety of spreads — all of which, aside from turkey and pastrami, are imported from Italy — rectangular focaccia loaves, golden brown with deep indentations, sat inside a basket covered with a gingham towel.—
Bahar Anooshahr,
AZCentral.com,
2 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dents. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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