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Definition of blanknext
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blank

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noun

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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

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blank

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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
At the time of execution, four members will have guns with live ammunition and one member will have a gun with blank ammunition. Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026 The rooms The 204 all-cream gallery-like rooms, spread over six floors, are austerely luxurious, a blank canvas for adventures. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2025
Noun
Binaural Beats Binaural beats, which are becoming increasingly popular online, are songs that feed tones of different frequencies into each ear; the brain then fills in the blank and perceives a third tone, which is thought to elicit calm and brain wave activity. Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 11 Dec. 2025 Welcome to Derry fills in the blanks. Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Dec. 2025
Verb
Minnesota blanked Calgary 2-0 last month in St. Paul, in their first meeting of the season. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 3 Dec. 2025 Freight rate indices such as Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) and the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) have seen a rapid rebound in recent weeks as more carriers scramble to blank sailings and implement new general rate increases to keep prices stable. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blank
Adjective
  • The most decrepit and weather-worn houses appear to be empty, although a few show outward signs that they are occupied.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
  • As has been the case so often in history, an administration desperate to reverse its declining popularity may have placed the military in the position of triumphing in an empty spectacle abroad while the war is at risk of being lost silently at home.
    Charles LeBaron, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
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
Adjective
  • Read on for the complete list of winners and nominees.
    Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
  • His plans are complete, and permits are moving forward.
    Sarah Alegre, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The final slide of her carousel featured a video of her trying her hand at Muay Thai, a form of Thai boxing.
    Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Freezing fog makes driving, boating, flying, and other forms of transportation particularly hazardous.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Instead, the general indifference shown toward its own story — or, at least, the best versions of it — comes to emphasize the emptiness at its core.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Jan. 2026
  • He was left with an unfamiliar emptiness.
    Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Authorities said Sutton ignored multiple commands to comply and resisted detention.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The background checks on Cook, if in fact there were any, were totally ignored.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The Long-Term Care Imperative, a partnership of Care Providers of Minnesota and Leading Age Minnesota representing short-term care, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing homes, notes there are some 17,000 caregiver positions vacant right now.
    Ellen Watters, Twin Cities, 15 Jan. 2026
  • The new owner plans to refresh the existing retail, lease up vacant space and add multifamily housing, according to a news release.
    Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Of course Canton voters had the most up-close-and-personal view of the utter corruption of the Karen Read prosecution.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Let’s talk about a few of the utter disasters unfolding.
    Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.

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