VACANT Synonyms: 185 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of vacant are blank , empty , vacuous , and void . While all these words mean "lacking contents which could or should be present," vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants. // a vacant apartment

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

While in some cases nearly identical to vacant , blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface. // a blank wall

Q: When would 'empty' be a good substitute for 'vacant'?

In some situations, the words empty and vacant are roughly equivalent. However, empty suggests a complete absence of contents. // an empty bucket

Q: When is 'vacuous' a more appropriate choice than 'vacant'?

While the synonyms vacuous and vacant are close in meaning, vacuous suggests the emptiness of a vacuum and especially the lack of intelligence or significance. // a vacuous facial expression

Q: When is it sensible to use 'void' instead of 'vacant'?

The words void and vacant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, void suggests absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine. // a statement void of meaning

vacant

adjective

ˈvā-kənt

Definition of vacant

as in empty

lacking contents that could or should be present a vacant room that could be converted into a classroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dormant

not being in a state of use, activity, or employment looking for vacant land on which to build a house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in blank

not expressing any emotion the prisoner's vacant and distracted expression

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in deserted

left unoccupied or unused police discovered that vagrants had been sleeping in the vacant warehouse

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective vacant contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vacant are blank, empty, vacuous, and void. While all these words mean "lacking contents which could or should be present," vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants.

a vacant apartment

When can blank be used instead of vacant?

While in some cases nearly identical to vacant, blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface.

a blank wall

When would empty be a good substitute for vacant?

In some situations, the words empty and vacant are roughly equivalent. However, empty suggests a complete absence of contents.

an empty bucket

When is vacuous a more appropriate choice than vacant?

While the synonyms vacuous and vacant are close in meaning, 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 void instead of vacant?

The words void and vacant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 vacant Along South Bayshore Drive, there’s almost no vacant land left, so the developers acquired an older condominium building and negotiated a condo termination with its owners, Isaac Toledano, founder of BH Group, told Fortune. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2026 Those in support of rezoning expressed concerns about the dust, air quality and Crown’s track record of not taking care of the neighborhood, which has included leaving vacant homes unsecured and messy. — Jena Brooker, ProPublica, 29 Oct. 2026 Feldman said the property is essentially vacant, with no offices or other development. — Courtney Bell, Baltimore Sun, 29 Oct. 2026 On the same street, brokers are struggling to fill storefronts that have been vacant for years, with asking rents as high as $142 per square foot. — Lila Barth, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vacant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacant

Adjective

None of the ballistic missiles that slammed Kyiv overnight into Thursday were intercepted – an indicator that Patriot stocks are still empty or critically low.

— Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Phishing email and empty ring boxes Vardon’s article was primarily about how Knicks assistant coaches did not get rings on Tuesday when the team raised its first league championship banner since 1973.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of empty

Adjective

The zoonotic infectious disease is caused by spore-forming bacteria found naturally in soil in most parts of the world, which can remain dormant for long periods, according to the World Health Organization.

— Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026
When to Cut Back Catmint Wait to cut back catmint until mid-winter, when the plant is dormant, or in early spring, to encourage new growth when the plant is preparing to exit dormancy.

— Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of dormant

Adjective

Voters at Brandywine Elementary School waited in line Tuesday morning until a truck brought more ballots, and one voter says some ballot pages were blank.

— Ida Domingo, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2026
For those who would like to print out a blank bracket ahead of the bracket announcement, AJC Varsity has provided an open option for readers that can be downloaded here.

— Caitlyn Stroh-Page, AJC.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of blank

Adjective

Meanwhile, the city’s business hub, King Abdullah Financial District, remains largely deserted, and office towers above 10 floors are still closed.

— Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026
The event was held at an office park that felt deserted, in a small gathering space on the second floor.

— Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of deserted

Adjective

The effect is something like an off-season approximation of a sidewalk, and, your winter climate permitting, sidewalk chalk (tons of it, for $18) is another good option.

— Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
The plot’s exposure damaged Democrat Mary Peltola, knocking her off-message, and now threatens her party’s chances of winning control of the Senate.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of off

Adjective

The residents occasionally gather in a disused rec center but the meetings devolve into rants about immigrants, junkies, thugs and vigilantism.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026
At least 14 artisanal miners are dead and scores are injured at a disused mine in South Africa, police said Tuesday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of disused

Adjective

Away from the shore, the tundra is barren, a broad expanse of moss, lichen, and exposed rock.

— Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
After five years in development at Retro Studios, the original makers of the Metroid Prime series, fans were greeted with annoying side characters, a bike for Samus to roam the barren landscape on, and a deeply unsatisfying ending.

— Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of barren

Browse Nearby Words

vacancy

vacant

vacantness

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“Vacant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacant. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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