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
How Muse was helpful Muse has more guidance for users compared to ChatGPT or Gemini, which can feel like a blank canvas. — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026 From the dining table below, where a young Charley often helped her grandmother fill blank planes with delicate dots, Caland could look up and see how far her line had taken her. — Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
Once these new worlds are spotted by Roman, the more powerful and sensitive Webb will take aim to fill in the blanks. — Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026 In the meantime, former staff is filling in the blanks left by the missing report. — Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
The righthander has blanked opponents in 20 of his last 21 outings (through June 11) and is unscored upon in 15 appearances at Tropicana Field this season. — Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for blank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blank
Adjective
  • Large sections of chairs in the hall were empty as delegations filed out in protest of Iranian aggression.
    — Robin Wright, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
  • New Zealand then spent 10 minutes in England's half and appeared to waste it until Du Plessis chased a clearance back to halfway, turned and kicked into empty space and beat everyone to the ball in goal.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 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
  • Many organizations don’t have a complete inventory of where cryptography is being used today.
    — Evgeny Gervis, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Once that happens, the attackers have the token that gives complete control over the Muse account.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • In financial disclosure forms, Overton reported no investments in healthcare or food companies.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • As with many things at Thom Browne, a gray suit inspired the design for this collab, with its clean lines and form acting as the muse for this pair of ‘phones.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Treating emptiness as sophistication becomes incapable of distinguishing moral from aesthetic judgment.
    — Frank Porcu, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Markets have seen through the emptiness of Bessent’s remedy, as ‘bond vigilantes’ have driven bond yields even higher despite Bessent’s band-aids.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Computer science student Jack Zemke was getting nowhere despite sending out hundreds of job applications that mostly disappeared into the void — ignored.
    — Heather Hollingsworth, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
  • On top of that, Elektrek reported racist graffiti and swastikas regularly appeared in high-traffic areas, which Tesla management simply ignored.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 24 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • In the general election, Krell won over two-thirds of the vote, beating out Republican challenger Nikki Ellis to fill Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty’s vacant seat.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Griffin’s sister is now refusing to build a home on the family lot that remains vacant, given its backyard would literally be a hop, skip and jump from the data center, Griffin said.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • There’s a wonderful fraction of a second when the Villa fans in the Holte End have to adjust from impending despair to utter joy.
    — Amitai Winehouse, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Fall in Europe brings with it brisk temperatures that make sightseeing an utter joy, thinner crowds that leave room for locals, and an opportunity to experience cities in their most authentic light.
    — Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank. Accessed 29 Sep. 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