dent

10 synonyms and 1 antonym for dent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A shallow dip or indentation in a surface, usually caused by a knock or impact.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

depression nick

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

ding prick slit scratch

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

dimple indent gouge incision

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A shallow dip or indentation in a surface, usually caused by a knock or impact.

“There was a dent in the car door where the shopping trolley had hit it.”

ding dimple indent depression prick slit scratch gouge nick incision

Opposites

protuberance

2. verb

To strike something so it develops a dent, or to be damaged in this way.

“The hailstones dented the roof of the car.”

indent

How to use dent

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

put a dent in a small dent dent someone's confidence

Etymology

From Middle English dent/dint, from Old English dynt, meaning a blow or strike — originally the mark or sound left by hitting something.

Full origin of dent →

Frequently asked questions

What does “dent” mean?

The word “dent” means a shallow dip or indentation in a surface, usually caused by a knock or impact. In plain terms, a small dip left by an impact, or figuratively any small but noticeable amount of damage.

How do you pronounce “dent”?

“Dent” is pronounced dehnt (/dɛnt/ in IPA).

How do you use “dent” in a sentence?

Here is “dent” used in a sentence: “There was a dent in the car door where the shopping trolley had hit it.”

What part of speech is “dent”?

Depending on how it is used, “dent” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “dent” come from?

The word “dent” comes from Old English. From Middle English dent/dint, from Old English dynt, meaning a blow or strike — originally the mark or sound left by hitting something.

Is “dent” a common word?

“Dent” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “dent” have?

“Dent” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a shallow dip or indentation in a surface, usually caused by a knock or impact.

What is the difference between a dent and a scratch?

A dent is a shallow dip or indentation in a surface, usually caused by an impact that pushes the material inward, while a scratch is a surface-level mark or line where material has been scraped away. A dent changes the shape of a surface, whereas a scratch only affects its finish.

What does it mean to "put a dent in" something like savings?

To "put a dent in" money or resources means to noticeably reduce them, using dent's figurative sense of a negative reduction or effect. For example, "the repair bill put a dent in our savings" means it significantly decreased the amount available.

Is dent used as both a noun and a verb?

Yes, dent functions as a noun for the indentation itself and as a verb meaning to strike something so it develops a dent, or to become damaged in this way. Both forms are common, as in "there's a dent in the car" versus "the hail dented the roof."

People also searched

nick depression scratch prick ding slit protuberance dimple gouge incision indent

Nearby words

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