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
Gone are the days when models were expected to dress like a blank canvas. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 5 Aug. 2026 Older diagnostic tools simply cannot read this faster language, resulting in a blank screen. New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2026
Noun
The family hopes witnesses will come forward to help fill in the blanks about what happened before Wells entered the water. ABC News, 22 July 2026 Her brother, Tunji, fills in the British blanks for her, but life in Lagos was a time of playing on swings and watching her brother kick a ball with his friends. Riann Phillip, Vogue, 15 July 2026
Verb
Chloe Manning struck out 10 as Plymouth North (9-11) blanked Whitman-Hanson 3-0 in a Patriot League tilt. Brian Roach, Boston Herald, 22 May 2026 Ohtani did not have his best stuff in the Dodgers’ 4-0 blanking over the Padres on Wednesday night. Katie Woo, New York Times, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for blank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blank
Adjective
  • After coming up empty all night, the Angels finally broke the scoreless tie in the eighth.
    Kyle Glaser, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The luxury pods — complete with lie-flat beds and sliding privacy doors — could be entirely off-limits when departure day rolls around, sitting completely empty at 35,000 feet.
    Edward Russell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 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
  • Craig said construction of the first stage of the Jansen potash project in Saskatchewan was 84% complete.
    Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But a complete turnover on defense, coupled with nonconference games at Georgia Tech and Northwestern, will lead to another losing season, after which both sides move in different directions.
    Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Align probiotic pros Align produces supplements in both capsule and gummy form.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • And in a study of a third group of over 690 participants, super movers had better cognition and lower prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
    Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The problem isn’t the characterization, since the surgeon is extremely well drawn and Văncică’s performance picks up on both the overall inner emptiness and the yearning for something more.
    Jay Weissberg, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026
  • If the early universe obeyed this rule, our modern cosmos would be devoid of substance, just energy fields rippling eternally through emptiness.
    Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • And while in some cases online classes can’t be ignored, the preference is that players attend in the classroom.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The Republican Party has ignored the national debt every time Republican presidents have signed bills that have cut taxes on the wealthy.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Volkanovski recently regained the vacant title and successfully defended it in February.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Either Melissa Hernandez or Aisha Wahab will fill Eric Swalwell’s vacant seat as California’s 14th District representative.
    Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • In both cases, there is something at once magisterial and leadenly self-regarding about the melancholic rhythms of Cusk’s prose, with its stiff and stately syntax and its utter impatience with the real vagaries of difference.
    Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The Carolina Panthers played their offensive starters for three series on Saturday, and the result was an utter flop.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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