Definition of blanknext
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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
There is a blank space in your memory where your childhood should be. Literary Hub, 6 July 2026 At the final whistle, some fans cried, some sat down with blank looks, some were mad, and others just seemed happy for the experience. Ben Church, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Noun
Retrofitted rat traps that fired Hollywood blanks meant to deafen and deter. Literary Hub, 22 June 2026 The remainder — 27 in the field of 45 candidates in 16 districts — gave themselves either a nonpartisan label or left the line blank. Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 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
  • Rhaenyra’s first shock as queen is learning of her empty coffers.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • At least one tanker that has sat waiting empty for months near South Africa is already heading towards Hormuz.
    Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 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
  • Roupp fought to stay in the game and record the first complete game of his career, but at 104 pitches, Vitello went to his bullpen to seal the blowout win instead of pushing his starter.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • These days, a complete Wirkkala set can fetch upwards of $3,600.
    Jessica Salter, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Noun
  • Those who noticed the earthquake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
  • Extreme corsetry, volumes, and silhouettes morphed women’s bodies into unnatural forms, some hyper-perfect, others creature-like.
    Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 10 July 2026
Noun
  • Here, emptiness is not vacancy, but composure, proportion and room for thought.
    Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Not even foundations are visible, and a long gravel road toward that part of the island leads past occasional farms and vast swaths of emptiness and then, finally, to a muddy riverbank thick with mosquitos.
    Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • Instead of going home that night, Wilber found himself back in bed 23 of the detention center — his bond denied — trying to ignore a nasty odor permeating his 14-person cell.
    Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Kennedy plans to ignore such noise in the lead-up to the draft.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
Adjective
  • And New York City has championed these conversions, offering tax incentives to turn older vacant office buildings into livable spaces.
    Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
  • The only pedestrians passing by one vacant dirt lot near 6th Street were a couple of teens on BMX bikes wearing smoke-blocking face masks.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Adjective
  • Questioning, if not rejecting, established Christian doctrine, Ahab also comes to regard Moby Dick as the outward and visible sign, the physical embodiment of the indifference or, worse, utter malignity inherent in the universe.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • But the nation’s summer has been an utter slog, lacking the identity and joy on the pitch that spectators have come to expect.
    Doha Madani, NBC news, 5 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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