Dent — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun abbreviation /ˈdent/

Meaning & Definition of Dent

Dent (verb)

  1. to make a dent in
  2. to have a weakening effect on
  3. to form a dent by sinking inward, become dented

Dent (noun)

  1. a depression or hollow made by a blow or by pressure
  2. an appreciable impression or effect often made against resistance; specifically, a weakening or lessening effect
  3. tooth

Dent (abbreviation)

  1. dental; dentist; dentistry

Dent (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a sunken area forming a separate space

    "there was a big dent in the car's hood where something had hit it"

    similar: cavity, concavity, depression, dint, hole, hollow, indentation, indenture, pit, recess
    related: burrow, cave, cavern, ditch, excavation, furrow, groove, gutter, trench, trough, basin, bowl, valley, alcove, cleft, niche, nook, opening, socket, alveolus, dimple, gouge, impression, imprint, notch, pocket, borehole, chuckhole, crater, posthole, pothole, sinkhole, wallow, water hole, well, abyss, chasm, gulf, vacuity, vacuum, void
    opposite: bulge, camber, convexity, jut, projection, protrusion, protuberance
    near: hill, mound, rise, bump, bunch, hump, lump, pimple, swell, swelling, tumor

  2. the amount by which something is lessened

    "a little belt-tightening would at least make a small dent in our credit-card debt"

    similar: abatement, decline, decrease, decrement, depletion, depression, diminishment, diminution, drop, drop-off, fall, falloff, loss, reduction, shrinkage, step-down
    related: deduction, subtraction, downturn, slip, slump, curtailment, cut, cutback, retrenchment, shortening
    opposite: boost, enlargement, gain, increase, increment, raise, rise, step-up, uptick
    near: accretion, accrual, accumulation, addition, supplement, continuation, extension, upswing, uptrend, upturn

Dent (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent

    "hopefully this vacation won't dent our bank account too much"

    similar: abate, de-escalate, decrease, deplete, diminish, downscale, downsize, drop, dwindle, ease, knock down, lessen, lower, reduce
    related: compress, condense, constrict, contract, abbreviate, abridge, clip, crop, curtail, cut, cut back, cut down, dock, nick, pare, prune, retrench, shorten, slash, trim, truncate, whittle, deflate, shrink, minimize, moderate, modify, modulate, qualify
    opposite: aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, enlarge, escalate, expand, increase, raise
    near: blow up, dilate, distend, inflate, swell, elongate, extend, lengthen, prolong, protract, add (to), complement, supplement, enhance, heighten, intensify, redouble

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Dent

The most common words with a similar meaning to Dent:

cavity, concavity, depression, dint, hole, hollow, indentation, indenture, pit, recess, abatement, decline, decrease, decrement, depletion, diminishment, diminution, drop, drop-off, fall, falloff, loss, reduction, shrinkage, step-down, abate, de-escalate, deplete, diminish, downscale, downsize, dwindle, ease, knock down, lessen, lower, reduce

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Dent

Words with the opposite meaning of Dent:

bulge, camber, convexity, jut, projection, protrusion, protuberance, boost, enlargement, gain, increase, increment, raise, rise, step-up, uptick, aggrandize, amplify, augment, enlarge, escalate, expand

Related Words for Dent

burrow, cave, cavern, ditch, excavation, furrow, groove, gutter, trench, trough, basin, bowl, valley, alcove, cleft, niche, nook, opening, socket, alveolus, dimple, gouge, impression, imprint, notch, pocket, borehole, chuckhole, crater, posthole

Near Antonyms of Dent

hill, mound, bump, bunch, hump, lump, pimple, swell, swelling, tumor, accretion, accrual, accumulation, addition, supplement, continuation, extension, upswing, uptrend, upturn, blow up, dilate, distend, inflate, elongate, extend, lengthen, prolong, protract, add (to)

Word Forms of Dent

Inflections: dented, denting, dents

Origin & Etymology of Dent

Middle English, short for indenten to make dents in, indent

First known use: 14th centuryt

Words & Phrases Containing Dent

dent-, dent corn, make/put a dent

Frequently Asked Questions about Dent

What does "Dent" mean?

"Dent" means to make a dent in. As an a verb, a noun and an abbreviation, it is defined as: to make a dent in. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Dent"?

Other words for "Dent" include cavity, concavity, depression, dint, hole, hollow, indentation and indenture. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Dent" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Dent"?

There are 116 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Dent". Common alternatives include cavity, concavity, depression, dint, hole, hollow, indentation, indenture, pit and recess.

What is the opposite of "Dent"?

Antonyms of "Dent" include bulge, camber, convexity, jut, projection, protrusion, protuberance and boost. Near antonyms include hill, mound, bump and bunch.

How do you use "Dent" in a sentence?

Examples of "Dent" in a sentence: "there was a big dent in the car's hood where something had hit it"; "a little belt-tightening would at least make a small dent in our credit-card debt"; "hopefully this vacation won't dent our bank account too much".

Is "Dent" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Dent" can be used as a verb, a noun and an abbreviation, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Dent"?

"Dent" is pronounced /ˈdent/.

What is the origin of the word "Dent"?

"Dent" comes from Middle English, short for indenten to make dents in, indent. First known use: 14th centuryt.