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Definition of blanknext
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blank

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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

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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

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

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
My brain went completely blank. Henna Pryor, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026 Relying on complimentary onboard entertainment alone can leave you stuck staring at a blank screen—but the $12 Flight Flap turns your phone into a dependable entertainment hub. Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 18 Apr. 2026
Noun
On Thursday, boat security personnel will fire machine guns using blanks, which are pretty loud, Smith said. Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026 Deputies recovered the handgun, which was later determined to be a weapon that fired blanks, the sheriff's department said. Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 1 Apr. 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
  • Five-star hotels in the Pakistani capital have been empty, awaiting diplomatic delegations for a next round of negotiations this week between Iran and the US.
    Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Police officers advised a dispatcher that the suspect vehicle was empty and no children were located inside.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • These are great for traveling or if your yard is devoid of things to attach to.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect.
    Collin Binkley, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • No patio is complete without some decorative accessories, according to Kerith Flynn, the founder of Margali & Flynn Designs.
    Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 19 Apr. 2026
  • On the other end, the Rockets were a complete mess, dissolving in two whining technical fouls in the third quarter that sealed their fate.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Nowhere has the flipping of the form books been more striking than in La Liga, where two weekends ago — for only the third time in history — each of the bottom five teams picked up maximum points.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
  • According to the World Health Organization, ageism is the most widespread — and socially accepted — form of prejudice today.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Inner emptiness has always been a fixation of Ye.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 1 Apr. 2026
  • While fans would have surely loved to get any of these songs over the past five years in lieu of the chaos of 2020s-era Ye, there’s still an emptiness at the heart of Bully.
    Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Don’t ignore it or joke past it.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026
  • The pope ignoring atrocities The papal mission appears to have overlooked a visit to Nigeria.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The lobby and tenant amenity areas were upgraded in 2019, according to real estate tracker CoStar, which lists the property as more than half vacant.
    Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026
  • The vacant structure had been damaged by a fire once already when it was set ablaze a second time, damaging the property next door, said Jackson, president of the South End Neighborhood Association.
    Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • And Taaffe has existed, for two months, in the carefree limbo that comes with the utter lack of choice over his future.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
  • This would be an utter disaster; 70% to 100% of the several countries in this region fully rely on desalination plants.
    Helen Branswell, STAT, 14 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

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