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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
Others pay their movers too much in advance, or even sign blank contracts. Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026 Most of the Oscar prognostication action happens around the best picture, acting and directing races, leaving the poor writing nominees metaphorically stuck alone in a room, staring at a blank screen. Todd Longwell, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
Is it reduced to yet another fill-in-the-blank preliminary to a national title game in some super-duper-they-look-alike stadium? Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026 Local Aboriginal people are being trained to help monitor the fish so that when the scientists leave, their work will help fill in the blanks about the Bloomfield Cod. Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
Verb
However, the defenses adjusted in the second half — one better than the other — and the Chargers blanked the Cowboys’ offense over the final 30 minutes for the win. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Dec. 2025 And Shapiro gets blanked from nomination, or if he gets nominated and does not win, there’s always the classic right-wing grievance play: casting the whole affair as more proof of Hollywood’s continued antagonism toward conservatives. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blank
Adjective
  • Crews later located a debris field near the area where the alert was sent, and found a body in the water and an empty life raft, according to the Coast Guard.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Nanos declined to answer many questions about the case Tuesday but did confirm that there was an empty frame for a security camera near Guthrie’s front door.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 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
  • Jesse Minter’s first Baltimore Ravens coaching staff is not complete.
    Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • As vehicles become increasingly software-defined and electrified, EMB systems are emerging as a cornerstone of next-generation braking, widely viewed by engineers as one of the most advanced and complete solutions for how cars should stop.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Can Tottenham, with the unit currently available to Frank, turn their form around entirely and push towards the European places?
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Ask your questions in the form below (can’t see it?
    Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Kerr and several staffers compared the emptiness around downtown, coupled with the frigid temperatures outside, to feelings that existed during COVID.
    Nick Friedell, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Many roads in Austin remained icy on Monday morning and many coffee shops and restaurants echoed the emptiness on the streets with their own temporary closures.
    Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • This framing effectively provides a rationale for ignoring officers’ commands during field encounters.
    Christina Buttons, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Fedorov, the new defense minister, acknowledges the scale of the problem, telling the Ukrainian parliament some 2 million people are ignoring their call-up papers, while 200,000 others have deserted.
    Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • City officials hope to reverse that trend by revitalizing the downtown area, from attracting businesses to vacant storefronts to developing unused city sites, such as the corner lot burdened with the remains of Hotel Marysville, which was destroyed by fire in 2024.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • As the luxury building sat vacant, taggers armed with spray paint flocked there, hoping to leave a colorful mark on the city skyline.
    Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Other than Arturs Silovs, who was sensational between the pipes, and a spirited performance from rookie Ben Kindel, the Penguins produced an utter no-show against a surging Ottawa team.
    Josh Yohe, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
  • The content suggests yet another another instance of ICE's utter depravity.
    JT Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.

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