void 1 of 3

adjective

ˈvȯid How to pronounce void (audio)
Definition of voidnext
1
as in null
having no legal or binding force an agreement is void if obtained by force

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2
as in empty
lacking contents that could or should be present a nuclear explosion that would leave the landscape as void and lifeless as one could imagine

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3
as in devoid
utterly lacking in something needed, wanted, or expected entirely void of common sense

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4
as in deserted
left unoccupied or unused the cornfields lay void under a blanket of snow

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void

2 of 3

noun

1
as in gap
an incomplete or deficient area a repressed memory that left a huge void in her recollection of her adolescent years

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2
as in emptiness
empty space those ancient travelers who traversed those vast watery voids between the islands of Oceania

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3
as in hole
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge) the client wanted an old-fashioned stone wall and did not want the voids filled in with mortar

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void

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to repeal
to put an end to by formal action the court's decision voided the will the cashier voided the sale when the customer realized his wallet was at home

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2
as in to empty
to remove the contents of the seller has promised to void the house of all furniture

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective void contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of void are blank, empty, vacant, and vacuous. While all these words mean "lacking contents which could or should be present," void suggests absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine.

a statement void of meaning

When is it sensible to use blank instead of void?

The words blank and void are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface.

a blank wall

When might empty be a better fit than void?

The synonyms empty and void are sometimes interchangeable, but empty suggests a complete absence of contents.

an empty bucket

When can vacant be used instead of void?

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

a vacant apartment

In what contexts can vacuous take the place of void?

Although the words vacuous and void have much in common, vacuous suggests the emptiness of a vacuum and especially the lack of intelligence or significance.

a vacuous facial expression

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 void
Adjective
Technically, the court decided all previous rulings after 2017 are void. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026 According to Italian newspaper Il Sole, a Rome court found that the clauses allowing Netflix to change prices and terms between 2017 and January 2024 without providing a valid reason in the contract, are void. —Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
But south at Punta Ixtapa, where volcanic cliffs drop into the maritime void, Horst Schulze's Capella Hotels staked a claim in 2008. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026 Van Dijk talked after the recent Merseyside derby triumph about how new leaders will need to step up to help fill the void. —James Pearce, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
The Michigan Public Service Commission granted the relevant permits in 2023, but a coalition of environmental groups and Michigan tribes has filed a lawsuit seeking to void state permits for the tunnel. —CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 Keep that voided area in mind because it will be accessed by another Arsenal player in a moment. —Jon MacKenzie, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for void
Recent Examples of Synonyms for void
  1. empty
  2. devoid
  3. deserted
  4. gap
  5. emptiness
  6. hole
  7. repeal
  8. invalid
Adjective
  • It’s been maddening to watch a lineup full of high-end hitters come up empty night after night in April, a month that has felt as long as about three.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
  • After sitting empty since Sting and Styler moved out, per the New York Post, the stylish spread has just returned to the market for $45 million, a whopping $5 million less than the current owner paid.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026
Definition of empty
Adjective
  • On Thursday afternoon, at least two of the parishes marked for closure stood silent and seemingly devoid of activity.
    — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
  • To be fair, Saturday’s Kentucky Derby field isn’t entirely devoid of notable nomenclature.
    — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Definition of devoid
Adjective
  • And later, the inquisitive head of a couple of snappers (don’t point too close) draws multiple onlookers on the boardwalk, which is sometimes eerily deserted but sometimes requires single-file trekking.
    — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Vicky's patrol car was found deserted at a local shopping center, and the pair fled in an orange 2007 Ford Edge.
    — Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Definition of deserted
Noun
  • The new batch of money is separate from a $245 million pool of new funds officials already allocated to help close looming budget gaps.
    — Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The Canadian reverse logistics company’s pathway-level data report details the limitations, trade-offs and infrastructure gaps that defining the sector—something Debrand likened to opening the black box of textile circularity.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2026
Definition of gap
Noun
  • Why do people team up around an emptiness, so much spent breath?
    — Julian Bell, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The scene leaves us wondering about the sudden emptiness.
    — Paul Sutter, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Definition of emptiness
Noun
  • The project calls for the company to drill as many as 18 holes down some 1,000 feet into the Earth to collect samples.
    — Sarah Raza, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2026
  • Another early hole The Lightning outplayed the Canadiens for much of the first period but couldn’t score the opening goal.
    — Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
Definition of hole
Verb
  • In Springfield, the GOP nominee for governor, Darren Bailey, reiterated his call to reform or repeal the SAFE-T Act, a stance he’s held since his last run for governor in 2022.
    — Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The fee was suspended in 2017 and was set to be repealed entirely in 2031 as part of a legislative deal to extend the cap-and-trade program, which collects money by auctioning permits to emit greenhouse gases.
    — Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
Definition of repeal
Adjective
  • The lawsuit argues that rescinding the general plan amendment should have also made a surf park on the site invalid.
    — Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
  • Johnson ran in 2022 for governor, but was disqualified over invalid petition signatures.
    — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
Definition of invalid

Phrases Containing void

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voicing
void
voidance
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Cite this Entry

“Void.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/void. Accessed 7 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on void

Nglish: Translation of void for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about void

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