DENTS Synonyms: 177 Similar and Opposite Words

dents 1 of 2

noun

plural of dent

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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dents

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of dent

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

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 dents

Noun

Even stainless steel pans can sometimes get big dents or other damage. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 26 June 2026 Watch for dents, broken springs, or light coming through, as these can strain parts and lead to bigger issues. — Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 17 June 2026 But several shots appear to hit with enough force to leave visible impact marks and dents in the wall. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026 In addition to the two smaller punctures, there were also dents and creases. — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 4 June 2026 Additionally, even the most reliable cars get dents and dings, and all vehicles need routine maintenance over time. — Chris Teague, AJC.com, 3 July 2026 That French idiom about having long teeth — les dents longues — can have negative connotations about a person’s ambitious streak. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 15 June 2026 Ideal for dressers, doors, desks, and even hardwood floors, the kit includes six markers for surface-level touchups in shades like cherry, walnut, and mahogany, plus six wax sticks to fill deeper dents and gouges. — Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2026 Symptoms of lobular breast cancer include breast pain or warmth, breast skin that looks or feels thicker than usual, skin that has dimples, tiny dents, or puckers and a lump near your armpit, according to the Cleveland Clinic. — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026

Verb

No quantity of houses or yachts dents it. — Douglas P. McCormick, Fortune, 23 June 2026 Which is harder — landing a human on the moon or hitting a home run that dents the top of a foul pole in a major-league game? — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 8 May 2026 What happened next haunts the dreams, dents the bravura of every New Yorker. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 June 2026 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 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 The growth further dents the case for an interest rate cut, as US monetary policymakers discuss possibly raising the cost of borrowing. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 2 June 2026 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 The shaky outing continued Sasaki’s post-breakthrough slide, but the setback barely dents the Dodgers’ commanding division cushion, with San Diego still eight games back in the standings. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dents

Noun

The Chileans drilled holes allowing workers to insert a camera and pinpoint his location.

— Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Plus, Hannah Vanbiber uncovers why World Cup players are cutting holes in their socks.

— The Athletic, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of holes

Noun

Voltage reductions were also happening earlier in the day in parts of Staten Island, Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Westchester, Con Edison spokesperson Jamie McShane told CNN.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
On the other hand, massive reductions in the number of incoming immigrants do not increase such jobs.

— Robert Hormats, Time, 4 July 2026

Definition of reductions

Verb

Good posture helps prevent aches in the back, neck and shoulders, reduces joint wear and lowers the risk of sports injuries, according to Cleveland Clinic.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026
Skipping the stove and oven also reduces indoor heat, so lean on cold sandwiches, salads and no-cook meals during the worst hours.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of reduces

Noun

One level higher, the hot tub and heated pool buzz with young 30- and 40-somethings and families gather around the nearby fire pits to roast complimentary s’mores.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
The high-end camping company offers Airstream suites, polished cabins, fire pits, design-forward amenities and access to iconic outdoor destinations.

— Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 2 July 2026

Definition of pits

Noun

Anyone who has spent a career in and around tech will be aware of Moore's Law—the phenomenon observed by Gordon Moore in the 1960s that, as computing power increases, its cost decreases.

— Rupert Lee-Browne, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Provides Anti-Inflammatory Effects Research indicates that the long-term use (8 weeks) of kefir was linked with decreases in inflammatory biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein, which impact heart health.

— Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 29 June 2026

Definition of decreases

Noun

Other signals worth flagging to a dentist include bleeding or tender gums during brushing or flossing, frequent canker sores, an unusually dry mouth and a rising rate of new cavities despite consistent hygiene.

— Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026
Other signs worth flagging to a dentist include bleeding or tender gums during routine brushing or flossing, frequent canker sores, unusually dry mouth and a rising rate of new cavities despite consistent hygiene.

— Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of cavities

Noun

Several northbound lanes of I-5 were closed north of Templin Highway as fire vehicles staged on the highway and multiple firefighting helicopters performed water drops from above, according to social media posts from the Angeles National Forest.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
In between the magnums of rosé that were flowing, main sponsor Starbucks kept the energy up all weekend with exclusive drink drops.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 6 July 2026

Definition of drops

Noun

Like the experimental teeth, the ones from Neanderthal archaeological sites had the same overlapping small fractures, shallow indentations, and shallow scratches.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026
Overnight, indentations in the tarmac had been filled with sand, to ease the passing of the royal carriages.

— Sam Knight, New Yorker, 14 May 2026

Definition of indentations

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dents. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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noun

verb

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