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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
But in his hands, these forms were never neutral, blank, or abstract. Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 May 2026 Attendees were encouraged to pick up a pair of blank dog tags and choose a name from the wall to research, keeping the memories of those service members alive. Christa Swanson, CBS News, 24 May 2026
Noun
The site may ask you to connect with a chat bot to fill in any blanks in your application. Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026 Thoughts race, filling in the blanks with worst-case scenarios. Bybryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 14 May 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 riskiest habit is preheating an empty nonstick pan on high heat.
    Ryan Brennan June 2, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
  • The dog paces to and fro, hackles bristling, snapping at the empty air, its head turning one way, then the other, as if aware of invisible foes in the valley around them.
    Maggie O’Farrell, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • The dirt road leading to Bust’n B Ranch in Pioneertown, is long, narrow, and isolated, devoid of streetlights and rarely another car in sight.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2026
  • These blunders were a tragicomedy—a circus act entirely devoid of peanuts or joy.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
Adjective
  • Premier Sea View rooms, complete with balconies, are the prime choices.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026
  • And ceasefire, allowing complete unfettered access, and most importantly, a full respect for humanitarian law and humanitarian aid workers, and that simply isn't happening at all right now.
    CBS News, CBS News, 31 May 2026
Noun
  • The Sagamore was reduced to ashes twice before its final form was constructed in the 1920s (hopefully the third time’s a charm).
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
  • Much of Microsoft’s messaging around AI is speculative and self-serving, but the company rightly points out that new computing form factors have always required specialization, and that process is complex and expensive.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • Interstellar space is unforgivingly vast, but the emptiness has some advantages.
    Kai James, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
  • The Tuesday parking shortage and the Monday emptiness are not anomalies to correct.
    Chase Garbarino, Fortune, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • That’s how Ciara found out that Amanda was spending so much time at West’s house while ignoring her calls.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 3 June 2026
  • Chow's son testified that the gun was pointed at him, and defense lawyer Shaun Kent said during his closing argument that Cyrus ignored Chow telling him to put it down.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • The Cherry Creek Schools’ Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to appoint parent Keith Frazier to a vacant seat on the five-member board.
    Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 4 June 2026
  • Overstated savings, still-vacant buildings In 2013, The School District of Philadelphia projected $28 million in cost savings from its closure plan.
    Julia McWilliams, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • What’s most striking is its utter lack of substance.
    Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
  • When the squad reported back to Kirkby five days after his death, the training complex was a scene of utter devastation.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 28 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

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