Synonyms of vacuous

vacuous

adjective

ˈva-kyə-wəs 

1

as in devoid

lacking contents that could or should be present

a great vacuous space that should have been filled with an audience

Synonyms & Similar Words

• devoid
• empty
• barren
• blank
• vacant
• void
• hollow
• clean
• drained
• stark
• bare
• emptied
• toom
• open
• deserted
• uninhabited
• unfilled
• clear
• available
• free
• unoccupied
• depleted
• dry
• unfurnished
• unattended
• exhausted
• vacated
• abandoned
• forsaken

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• full
• complete
• replete
• provided
• filled
• furnished
• occupied
• supplied
• overflowing
• packed
• flush
• teeming

2

as in dumb

not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily

a movie that was enthusiastically derided for its vacuous dialogue

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dumb
• stupid
• slow
• simple
• thick
• dull
• dense
• idiotic
• fatuous
• foolish
• ignorant
• unintelligent
• mindless
• doltish
• dopey
• obtuse
• brainless
• witless
• silly
• opaque
• brain-dead
• soft
• dim
• empty-headed
• oafish
• senseless
• irrational
• boneheaded
• thickheaded
• gormless
• unreasonable
• dorky
• weak-minded
• airheaded
• insane
• bonehead
• dim-witted
• pinheaded
• dunderheaded
• lamebrain
• mad
• bubbleheaded
• moronic
• crazy
• lunkheaded
• half-witted
• thick-witted
• softheaded
• slow-witted
• chuckleheaded
• unsmart
• knuckleheaded
• absurd
• cretinous
• birdbrained
• imbecile
• simpleminded
• unintellectual
• uninformed
• feebleminded
• uneducated
• unthinking
• nonsensical
• lowbrow
• asinine
• fool
• illogical
• illiterate
• zany
• loony
• dippy
• preposterous
• cuckoo
• daffy
• untaught
• kooky
• wacky
• daft
• fallacious
• invalid
• sappy
• nutty
• unwise
• dotty
• harebrained
• crackpot
• balmy
• screwball
• half-baked
• cockeyed
• boobish
• tomfool
• featherheaded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• brilliant
• intelligent
• clever
• bright
• apt
• quick
• smart
• sharp
• ingenious
• acute
• fast
• intellectual
• nimble
• keen
• resourceful
• wise
• cerebral
• insightful
• thinking
• brainy
• astute
• perceptive
• erudite
• sagacious
• knowing
• savvy
• scholarly
• keen
• discerning
• knowledgeable
• quick-witted
• literate
• sharp-witted
• sage
• skilled
• ultrasmart
• supersmart
• hyperintelligent
• learned
• perspicacious
• sound
• highbrow
• educated
• informed
• cunning
• shrewd
• reasonable
• sensible
• logical
• valid
• trained
• wily
• sapient
• crafty
• rational
• percipient
• sane
• prudent
• judicious
• well-read
• foxy
• schooled

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective vacuous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vacuous are blank, empty, vacant, and void. While all these words mean "lacking contents which could or should be present," vacuous suggests the emptiness of a vacuum and especially the lack of intelligence or significance.

a vacuous facial expression

When is it sensible to use blank instead of vacuous?

In some situations, the words blank and vacuous are roughly equivalent. However, blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface.

a blank wall

In what contexts can empty take the place of vacuous?

The meanings of empty and vacuous largely overlap; however, empty suggests a complete absence of contents.

an empty bucket

Where would vacant be a reasonable alternative to vacuous?

The words vacant and vacuous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants.

a vacant apartment

When would void be a good substitute for vacuous?

The synonyms void and vacuous are sometimes interchangeable, but void suggests absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine.

a statement void of meaning

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of vacuous

In some ways, that Fennell’s Wuthering Heights is this vacuous and one-dimensional feels like progress. —Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2026

Maybe John-John was a vacuous jock type, but even hunks have souls. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026

The book is padded out by big type, airy leading and slight, vacuous tributes to the likes of Gregory Peck and Truman Capote produced for organs like the American Film Institute or the Book of the Month club. —Literary Hub, 17 Dec. 2025

Hollywood, having decided that no spectacle is too vacuous, no common denominator too low, has aligned itself with OneTaste. —Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025