blank 1 of 3

Definition of blanknext
1
2
3

blank

2 of 3

noun

1
as in form
a piece of paper with information written or to be written on it handed him an employment blank to fill out

Synonyms & Similar Words

2

blank

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective blank contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of blank are empty, vacant, vacuous, and void. While all these words mean "lacking contents which could or should be present," blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface.

a blank wall

When could empty be used to replace blank?

Although the words empty and blank have much in common, empty suggests a complete absence of contents.

an empty bucket

When can vacant be used instead of blank?

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

a vacant apartment

Where would vacuous be a reasonable alternative to blank?

The words vacuous and blank are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vacuous suggests the emptiness of a vacuum and especially the lack of intelligence or significance.

a vacuous facial expression

When would void be a good substitute for blank?

The meanings of void and blank largely overlap; however, 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 blank
Adjective
Some seize on context (what is known or knowable, facts external to Vermeer) as a means of shrinking the blank space surrounding his work. Clare Bucknell, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 The difference between building AI into a blank workflow and retrofitting it into a functioning organization is not technical. Charles Towers-Clark, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Noun
Schmidt then fills in the blanks. Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026 There are few blanks to fill in. Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
Verb
City are among the teams who blank in Gameweek 31, meaning selling Haaland could align well with longer-term planning, but only if his injury is confirmed as serious. Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026 It's become common practice for creatives to blank out their social media presences before announcing a new project, but Bad Bunny is already in the midst of a global tour that extends through July. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for blank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blank
Adjective
  • Vines have grown through the fence and barbed wire surrounding a tall art deco building in this city’s downtown, and cigarette holders and empty food tins litter the tall weeds.
    Susan Svrluga, Washington Post, 24 June 2026
  • Inside, there’s an empty dining room.
    Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • In a show mostly devoid of explicit messages, the sentiment surprised me.
    Max Norman, New Yorker, 25 June 2026
  • Players take on the role of a Ditto capable of mimicking its human trainer, and the Pokémon is thrown into a world devoid of humans.
    Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • The vast Lake Tahoe estate of Beach Boys co-founder Mike Love, complete with a theater, wine tasting room, ice-skating rink and sauna, could be yours — for the small price of $43 million.
    Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
  • Huel offers nutritionally complete protein shakes as meal replacements.
    Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 28 June 2026
Noun
  • Gray issued a leadoff walk to Jake McCarthy, who delivered the aforementioned Monday gut-punch in the form of an RBI triple, then settled in.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 24 June 2026
  • Fill out the form or email me at the address at the bottom of this page.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • Work gives you somewhere to point your attention, somewhere to put the grief, the sadness, the emptiness.
    Alla Adam, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • The condition is marked by intense emotional swings, a chronic feeling of emptiness, and a deep fear of abandonment.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Price is where almost every search starts, and the difference between countries is hard to ignore.
    Malana VanTyler, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
  • By the time the sponsor wants to sell, the buyer sees what the sponsor ignored.
    Louis Mosca, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • For decades, the north campus had no resident population, remaining a collection of vacant deteriorating buildings and residential programs for physical and mental health recovery.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Then, seven years ago, Cohen snagged a rare vacant plot for sale—modest in scale, at roughly half an acre, but blessed with pristine ocean frontage and perfect for the family escape of his imagination.
    Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • English cricket has been in utter chaos for the last two weeks and the most damning indictment of those in charge is that this is a mess very much of their own making.
    Nasser Hussain, New York Times, 23 June 2026
  • What immediately followed that bright June day were dark months marred by the state’s largest criminal investigation in history coming up empty, police questioning second graders for new leads and mounting legal battles among the Horman family grappling with utter devastation.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 23 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on blank

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster