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

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

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
And then there are the Heat, where there has been nothing but an embrace from both sides, and, frankly, where LeBron with his build and skills still could fill a Heat void at power forward, particularly with Erik Spoelstra easing the defensive burden with his frequent use of zones. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026 Water the plant to saturation after installing, and then check again for void pockets. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
New brands such as Vertu and Spktrl are attempting to fill that void with innovative new smart jewelry. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 Mar. 2026 Sending your resume into the void has never felt more useless. —Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
After roughly two weeks, the summons was voided, and the case was dropped. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026 Improper installation of windows may void warranties, which is why professional window installation is worth the cost. —Anna Popp, USA Today, 17 Mar. 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
  • Her home had been a house of mourning, a symbol of resilience, a family cornerstone, and now—bright shock—the empty scene of an unseen crime.
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Police searched the house and found a Powerade bottle that was largely empty, but contained some residue at the bottom.
    — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of empty
Adjective
  • Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.
    — Michael Abbott, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • That devoid ingredient hindered things exponentially.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 Feb. 2024
Definition of devoid
Adjective
  • Alberto Rodríguez, 73, limped with a cane down a deserted industrial street.
    — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2026
  • In his seventh feature collaboration with Scorsese, DiCaprio will join forces with Jennifer Lawrence, with the two playing a couple stranded in a deserted, snowy European town.
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of deserted
Noun
  • The gender gap narrowed slightly in recent years but widened again in 2025, according to an analysis by the Economic Policy Institute.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Another admitted to brushing crumbs into the gap between the stove and counter as a child—only to be caught and made to pull the appliance out and deep-clean the entire area.
    — Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of gap
Noun
  • Over time, this creates a sense of emptiness, a lack of purpose and significance.
    — Arthur C. Brooks March 22, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
  • The tens of thousands of conference attendees who surged into downtown San Jose this week provided a stark contrast to the typical daytime emptiness, and highlighted the otherwise sluggish recovery of the city’s economically vital conference and convention business.
    — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of emptiness
Noun
  • Just two weeks ago, Gary Woodland decided ot shared his struggles with post traumatic stress disorder, brought on after a September 2023 surgery, which involved a baseball-sized hole cut from the side of his head, to remove a brain lesion.
    — Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Canales admits the loss of Robinson leaves a hole in the defensive line rotation.
    — Mike Kaye March 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of hole
Verb
  • This was made possible in February 2025 when the Department of Education repealed a policy enacted by the previous administration that said the revenue must be distributed equally among the student-athletes.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Passed in 1996, Proposition 218 mandates voter approval for all local taxes, and provides voters an opportunity to repeal or reject taxes.
    — City News Service, Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of repeal
Adjective
  • Critics fear that if late counting goes away, potentially millions of legitimate votes could be deemed invalid.
    — Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Changes to the hepatitis B vaccines for newborns and COVID-19 shots made via earlier ACIP votes were deemed invalid.
    — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 22 Mar. 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 2 Apr. 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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