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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
However, the solutions Gailey and his staff drew on those blank whiteboards dramatically improved their efficiency on offense and popularized a concept the NFL hadn’t yet explored: the pistol. Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 2 June 2025 Notably, none of this returning production comes from the receivers unit, leaving new receivers coach Sean Beckton Sr. with a fresh start and a blank canvas. Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 May 2025
Noun
The Treasury Department recently placed its final order of penny blanks to print the one-cent coins, and meaning new pennies will stop being put into circulation around early 2026. Meredith Kile, People.com, 23 May 2025 The move to cease penny production will require businesses to begin rounding up or down to the nearest 5 cents, and a final order of penny blanks was made for the Treasury this month. Luke Gentile, The Washington Examiner, 23 May 2025
Verb
Grapevine blanks Lubbock-Cooper for series lead Grapevine pitcher Luke Esquivel tossed a gem in Game 1 as the Mustangs shut out Lubbock-Cooper 4-0 in a Class 5A Division II regional final on Friday, May 23, at Brownwood High School. Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 May 2025 In other first-round games at All City Field on the 5A opening weekend of state, Regis Jesuit beat Arvada West 11-5 and Cherry Creek blanked Rocky Mountain, 3-0. Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for blank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blank
Adjective
  • American retailers cried foul and indicated Santa Claus’s sled would be empty.
    Bruce Yandle, Boston Herald, 1 June 2025
  • Companies that are serious about the future of work know that AI implementation without workforce enablement is an empty investment.
    Sol Rashidi, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.
    Michael Abbott, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Delle, devoid for so long from its intrinsic need for social interaction might be filling in the gaps by talking to himself.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 14 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • Ait-Nouri is far from a complete Premier League footballer.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • The water-facing outdoor area at the home’s rear extends off of the living space and is complete with a grilling station, alfresco dining area, lap pool, spa and oversized sundeck.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • Its political musings are straightforward, but their overt nature allows the movie to play out in the form of a saccharine, campy, musically-tinged comedy that zips by, never overstaying its welcome.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 10 June 2025
  • After seven core-series books, 11 films including three Fantastic Beasts prequels, a stage sequel, and countless spinoffs and inspirations in the form of theme parks, video games, merchandise, and more, the Wizarding World is set to soon expand to one more medium: TV.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • What can also be said with certainty, however, is that — even ignoring, for one moment, the events that brought him to Chelmsford crown court in Essex, east of London — this is a story of what might have been.
    Stuart James, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • Titles were a foregone conclusion with two of the league’s three or four best players and the financial might to ignore the luxury tax.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Housing has emerged as a key issue in this year’s mayoral race as the city reels from skyrocketing rents and a dearth of vacant apartments, and there’s widespread agreement more units must be built.
    Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 6 June 2025
  • Hartford Prints! has taken over a vacant storefront next door, has broken down a wall and joined the two spaces.
    Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2025
Adjective
  • But that meeting’s collapse—and, more broadly, the utter failure of sanctions to prevent North Korea from developing its nuclear potential—may prompt him to support Seoul’s push.
    John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
  • The Civil War, which is jeopardizing his presidency, has turned him into an utter killjoy.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • Either cut a strip of sturdy paper or use a ruler that’s 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches wide.
    Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 8 June 2025
  • So, on paper at least, Mario Kart World seems like a corporate no-brainer: make the game massive and open-world, and wait for the tidal wave of endless sales.
    Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.

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