blank 1 of 3

Definition of blanknext
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blank

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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

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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

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

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
The crossbar, the tip of Dan Ndoye’s heel being adjudged to be offside, and a familiar brand of wasteful finishing all combined, in frustrating fashion, to ensure one more blank was added to that tally in this 0-0 draw with Fulham. Paul Taylor, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026 The shed also comes in an unpainted light wood shade, giving you and any little ones a gigantic (and quite literal) blank canvas with which to work. Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano, The Spruce, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
Besides shuffling tiles and deciding whether to play with blanks or not, the trio is hoping the studio becomes a place to unwind, grow stronger friendships and meet some new people along the way. Charlotte Observer, 1 Mar. 2026 The present-day scenes fill in some of the blanks. John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 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
  • The empty gold frames on the walls of the Dutch Room at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston might be the most famous empty frames in the world.
    Kristina Rex, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Kabul said Pakistan hit two locations, including an empty security site and a drug rehabilitation center that sustained minor damage.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 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
  • For me, no beach vacation is complete without a fun, flirty, little slip tucked into an overstuffed suitcase.
    Minty Mellon, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Douse fires with a good amount of water and stir to ensure complete cooling.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Those who noticed the quake are encouraged to report it via the USGS Felt Report form.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 Mar. 2026
  • While candidates’ visions for how to best resist ICE differ, the leading candidates have said the agency can’t continue in its current form.
    Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The emptiness was an eerie reminder of how the country felt during Covid-19.
    Emma Graham, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026
  • In another photographer’s hands, Atget’s subjects, which show how thought and vision can work in tandem with emptiness, would likely be only a backdrop to the drama of humanity.
    Hilton Als, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Red, white and blue and Venezuela’s yellow, blue and red filled the stadium -- as did the political overtones the WBC could not ignore.
    Greg Cote Updated March 17, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
  • But when platitudes aren’t backed by action, the disparity between branding and behavior becomes impossible to ignore.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Rookie guard Max Shulga and veteran big man Charles Bassey played the final two minutes, with Bassey — who signed a 10-day contract on Sunday to fill a vacant roster spot — scoring his first two points in a Celtics uniform.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Some dens were built near homes and buildings, but those houses were most often vacant and the buildings were abandoned.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The trial lasted several months, with the prosecution maintaining this charge despite the utter absurdity of the accusation and the evidence.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
  • The veteran punk band's set was utter chaos.
    Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

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