dent

A small hollow in a surface caused by something hitting it.

• The door has a dent.
• The crash left several dents in the car.
• Can you repair this dent in the metal?

How to use it: dent in something (There is a dent in the car door.)

Similar words: indentation

Common phrases: a dent, dent in something, small dent

A small amount of progress in reducing a large task or problem.

• We made a dent in the work.
• One payment barely made a dent in the debt.
• Have you made a dent in that reading list?

How to use it: make a dent in something (We finally made a dent in the pile of laundry.)

Common phrases: make a dent, dent in something

A loss or damage that makes something smaller, weaker, or less successful.

• The loss left a dent in his confidence.
• Rising costs made a serious dent in profits.
• That mistake put a dent in her reputation.

How to use it: put a dent in something (The repair bill put a dent in our savings.)

Similar words: blow, damage, reduction

Common phrases: dent in something, put a dent, serious dent

To make a small hollow in a surface by hitting or pressing it.

• Do not dent the door.
• I dropped the pan and dented it.
• The falling branch had dented the car’s roof.

Common phrases: dent a car, dent the door, dent something badly

To develop a small hollow when hit or pressed.

• This metal dents easily.
• The thin lid dented under his thumb.
• Will these pans dent if I drop them?

Common phrases: dent easily, dent under pressure