BLANK Synonyms: 231 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'blank' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of blank are empty , vacant , vacuous , and void . While all these words mean "lacking contents which could or should be present," blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface. // a blank wall

Q: When could 'empty' be used to replace 'blank'?

Although the words empty and blank have much in common, empty suggests a complete absence of contents. // an empty bucket

Q: When can 'vacant' be used instead of 'blank'?

In some situations, the words vacant and blank are roughly equivalent. However, vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants. // a vacant apartment

Q: Where would 'vacuous' be a reasonable alternative to 'blank'?

The words vacuous and blank are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vacuous suggests the emptiness of a vacuum and especially the lack of intelligence or significance. // a vacuous facial expression

Q: When would 'void' be a good substitute for 'blank'?

The meanings of void and blank largely overlap; however, void suggests absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine. // a statement void of meaning

blank 1 of 3

adjective

ˈblaŋk

Definition of blank

as in empty

not expressing any emotion the teacher knew no one was paying attention when she looked out and saw all those blank faces

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in devoid

lacking contents that could or should be present the page of instructions actually turned out to be blank

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in complete

having no exceptions or restrictions his blank refusal to even consider my request for an unpaid leave of absence

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

blank

2 of 3

noun

as in form

a piece of paper with information written or to be written on it handed him an employment blank to fill out

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in emptiness

empty space a blank on the form for the patient's insurance policy number

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

blank

3 of 3

verb

as in to ignore

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective blank contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of blank are empty, vacant, vacuous, and void. While all these words mean "lacking contents which could or should be present," blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface.

a blank wall

When could empty be used to replace blank?

Although the words empty and blank have much in common, empty suggests a complete absence of contents.

an empty bucket

When can vacant be used instead of blank?

In some situations, the words vacant and blank are roughly equivalent. However, vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants.

a vacant apartment

Where would vacuous be a reasonable alternative to blank?

The words vacuous and blank are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vacuous suggests the emptiness of a vacuum and especially the lack of intelligence or significance.

a vacuous facial expression

When would void be a good substitute for blank?

The meanings of void and blank largely overlap; however, void suggests absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine.

a statement void of meaning

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 blank

Adjective

Gone are the days when models were expected to dress like a blank canvas. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 5 Aug. 2026 Older diagnostic tools simply cannot read this faster language, resulting in a blank screen. — New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2026

Noun

The family hopes witnesses will come forward to help fill in the blanks about what happened before Wells entered the water. — ABC News, 22 July 2026 Her brother, Tunji, fills in the British blanks for her, but life in Lagos was a time of playing on swings and watching her brother kick a ball with his friends. — Riann Phillip, Vogue, 15 July 2026

Verb

Chloe Manning struck out 10 as Plymouth North (9-11) blanked Whitman-Hanson 3-0 in a Patriot League tilt. — Brian Roach, Boston Herald, 22 May 2026 Ohtani did not have his best stuff in the Dodgers’ 4-0 blanking over the Padres on Wednesday night. — Katie Woo, New York Times, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for blank

Recent Examples of Synonyms for blank

Adjective

All three terminals at Kharg have been empty for extended periods, according to shipping analysts at Windward.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Meanwhile, empty-nest boomers sit on a disproportionate share of the family-size homes that millennial parents need but cannot find or afford.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of empty

Noun

Align probiotic pros Align produces supplements in both capsule and gummy form.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
And in a study of a third group of over 690 participants, super movers had better cognition and lower prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of form

Noun

The problem isn’t the characterization, since the surgeon is extremely well drawn and Văncică’s performance picks up on both the overall inner emptiness and the yearning for something more.

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026
If the early universe obeyed this rule, our modern cosmos would be devoid of substance, just energy fields rippling eternally through emptiness.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of emptiness

Verb

And while in some cases online classes can’t be ignored, the preference is that players attend in the classroom.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
The Republican Party has ignored the national debt every time Republican presidents have signed bills that have cut taxes on the wealthy.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of ignore

Adjective

The utter carnage that follows brings major developments for all the main characters still on the chessboard — and many gruesome deaths by dragon fire, boiling oil, spikes and even catapults.

— Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Tense football games tend to leave fans in utter distress, but not John Cena.

— Adrianne Reece, InStyle, 28 July 2026

Definition of utter

Cite this Entry

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“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of blank

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