hollow out
verb
hollowed out; hollowing out; hollows out
1
: to remove the inside of (something) : to make an empty space in (something)
The kids were hollowing out pumpkins.
a hollowed-out log
2
: to form (something) by digging or cutting the inside of something
Workers hollowed out a tunnel through the mountain.
Examples of hollow out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But the broader narrative that repeated dieting inevitably hollows out lean tissue is not supported by the current body of evidence.
—
Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
Their departure would hollow out the graduate research pipeline that feeds American industry.
—Kelly Fleming, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Their decisions could play a big role in whether the program will be entirely hollowed out or have some ties to the elements that have brought viewers in for years.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 June 2026
In the weeks since the Supreme Court hollowed out the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the past has felt especially present to many at Mount Zion.
—Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hollow out
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.
Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
Their departure would hollow out the graduate research pipeline that feeds American industry.
—Kelly Fleming, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Their decisions could play a big role in whether the program will be entirely hollowed out or have some ties to the elements that have brought viewers in for years.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 June 2026
In the weeks since the Supreme Court hollowed out the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the past has felt especially present to many at Mount Zion.
—Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hollow out
Cite this Entry
“Hollow out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hollow%20out. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
