blank 1 of 3

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
The film, with humour and authenticity, delves into the fallout from his audacious act — delivering two blank canvases while withholding the 532,000 Danish kroner paid to him by the commissioning museum. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2025 While a decline in sailings could lead to a drop in prices, during Covid, blank sailings were identified by shippers around the world as a reason for container rates that spiked as high as $30,000. Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
In my research with Dolby Laboratories researcher Lie Lu and previous research, the machine learning algorithm is taught to fill in the blanks. Eloy Geenjaar, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2025 If and when that plan passes, congressional committees will then begin filling in the blanks. David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
Now, shutters blank off openings unless necessary, improving airflow and efficiency. Ars Technica, 10 Mar. 2025 No other teams can blank in Gameweek 29 now. Abdul Rehman, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blank
Adjective
  • Streets that typically buzzed with life were empty.
    Christina Ray Stanton, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Related article Trump was warned of empty shelves and financial turmoil from tariffs and firing Powell.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 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
  • These were used to generate complete genome sequences.
    John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Some fans want a complete clearout and a change in owner, despite the unprecedented success and the significant investment.
    Rob Tanner, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The deal aims to quash the primary source of contention, the appointment of bishops, which is a modern-day form of the Medieval Investiture controversy.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025
  • This helps ensure rote learning forms only the base from which students tackle more complex tasks, thus encouraging genuine understanding rather than superficial coverage.
    Luke Lombe, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Murrow perspective allows Clooney and Heslov to ignore the actual Communist contamination of both the media and the government.
    Armond White, National Review, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Soviet citizens in the 1980s could no longer ignore the glaring differences between the utopian promises of communism and the reality of an autocratic and incompetent regime.
    Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The lot had been vacant since the early 1900s when this house was completed in 2018.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 May 2025
  • In the 13th century, the papacy was vacant for almost three years before the election of Gregory X, who tightened up conclave rules.
    John Bacon, USA Today, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Talk about the low of the low, what utter scumbags.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • But sometimes, such as in crosswalks during peak commuting times, that order turns to utter chaos.
    Gayoung Lee, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Liman set a briefing schedule with the papers going back and forth until July 29.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025
  • According to a new paper published in the journal Current Biology, the observational data is the first evidence of the sharing of alcoholic foods among nonhuman great apes in the wild.
    Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 21 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on blank

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!