make a dent

VERB

solve

Synonyms

STRONGEST

clarify clear up deal with decide determine do explain figure out fix have iron out settle work out

STRONG

break construe crack decipher decode disentangle divine elucidate enlighten expound fathom get hit illuminate interpret lick puzzle reason unfold unlock unravel untangle work

WEAK

find out get right get to the bottom hit upon make out pan out put two and two together think out unriddle

Antonyms

STRONGEST

complicate confuse defer destroy hesitate miss neglect put off unsettle

STRONG

agree be vague fail hide lose mend misunderstand obscure tangle twist

WEAK

pose question search wonder

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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make a dent

Murphy’s fellow representative, Democrat Zac Ista, told ProPublica he hadn’t been able to make a dent in this legislature.

From Salon ● Jun. 8, 2026

In other words, eliminating all of this overspending, even if that were possible, wouldn’t make a dent in total spending.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 29, 2026

Councils already have the power to issue on the spot penalties of £150 for littering, and the uplift is unlikely to make a dent in super sites which can cost millions to clean up.

From BBC ● Mar. 18, 2026

Worker furloughs, increased worker payments for healthcare, and other options could start to make a dent.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 23, 2025

Percy tried to cut through with Riptide, but he couldn’t make a dent.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

make a dent

Example Sentences

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