vent 1 of 2

verb

ˈvent How to pronounce vent (audio)
Definition of ventnext
1
as in to unleash
to find emotional release for vented her anger and then quickly calmed down

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to express
to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion) vented his opinions freely and loudly at town meetings

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to radiate
to throw or give off a clothes dryer venting steam

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

vent

2 of 2

noun

as in outlet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word vent distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of vent are air, broach, express, utter, and voice. While all these words mean "to make known what one thinks or feels," vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words.

a tirade venting his frustration

When could air be used to replace vent?

Although the words air and vent have much in common, air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention.

publicly airing their differences

When is it sensible to use broach instead of vent?

While the synonyms broach and vent are close in meaning, broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion.

broached the subject of a divorce

When would express be a good substitute for vent?

The words express and vent can be used in similar contexts, but express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces.

expressed her feelings in music

Where would utter be a reasonable alternative to vent?

The meanings of utter and vent largely overlap; however, utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech.

utter a groan

When is voice a more appropriate choice than vent?

While in some cases nearly identical to vent, voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words.

an editorial voicing their concerns

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 vent
Verb
Still mourning her dad’s death, the mother turned to the community forum Mumsnet to vent about her son’s girlfriend not offering any condolences. —Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 24 May 2025 Postecoglou has probably benefited from a large section of supporters venting their frustration towards chairman Daniel Levy. —Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 20 May 2025
Noun
The airflow signal most likely meant that the dryer vent required a cleaning, or worse, that there could be a clog in the vent or the dryer itself. —Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 26 May 2025 Its design encourages a natural latch, while the anti-colic vent reduces gas and discomfort. —Toby Rose, Parents, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for vent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vent
  1. unleash
  2. express
  3. radiate
  4. outlet
  5. release
  6. voice
  7. cast
  8. give
Verb
  • In April, the IMF said global GDP would rise by 2.8% this year, down from a previous estimate of 3.2%, citing the uncertainty unleashed by Trump’s barrage of new tariffs on America’s trading partners.
    — Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
  • Denver made a couple of substantial changes last year that unleashed the group as a whole.
    — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 28 May 2025
Definition of unleash
Verb
  • Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter expressed her solidarity with the local population as emergency services warned people the area was hazardous and urged them to stay away, closing off the main road into the valley.
    — Reuters, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
  • However, a number of European leaders have expressed concerns over the Israel’s actions in Gaza in recent days.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 May 2025
Definition of express
Verb
  • The primary suite radiates a somber sort of opulence.
    — Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 4 June 2025
  • That attitude radiated through each look on the runway, where every model felt like a character in an Autty Simone dreamworld.
    — Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 2 June 2025
Definition of radiate
Noun
  • Rima served as the Best Bets editor at New York Magazine for seven years, and writes primarily about lifestyle pursuits (design, art, culture and travel) for top international outlets including The New York Times, Elle and Elle Décor, Galerie, HTSI and the The Wall Street Journal, amongst others.
    — Rima Suqi, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • Avoid entering basements or rooms where electrical outlets or cords are submerged in water.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 2025
Definition of outlet
Verb
  • On May 29, a day after Todd and Julie were released from their forever prisons, Savannah shared an Instagram Reel with multiple selfies of herself and her father shopping together.
    — Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 3 June 2025
  • Similarly, the requirement for iPadOS 16 means the latest YouTube update won’t run on the iPad Air 2 (released in 2014) and iPad mini 4, first sold in 2015.
    — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Definition of release
Verb
  • The veteran safety recently voiced his frustrations on social media after hearing his former defensive coordinator discuss the offseason trade that sent shockwaves across Philly.
    — Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
  • Residents voice concerns about road conditions and the impact of traffic, Guerrero said.
    — Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025
Definition of voice
Verb
  • Something else that could potentially cast a shadow over the U.S. and China’s trade negotiations is Trump’s recent targeting of international students studying in the U.S., which impacts Chinese nationals.
    — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 30 May 2025
  • Pretty much everyone today who is prominent in casting was an aspiring director or actor and fell into the profession.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 May 2025
Definition of cast
Verb
  • But there are few substitutes for availability, and no player has given more to Spurs this season than Porro.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • This will give you adequate time to find the perfect viewing location and watch the sun glide between the skyscrapers.
    — Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 27 May 2025
Definition of give

Browse Nearby Words

venoms
vent
vented
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vent. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on vent

Nglish: Translation of vent for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'Bring' vs. 'Take'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Some Data About 'Datum'

The Clinical History of 'Moron,' 'Idiot,' and 'Imbecile'
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All