blank 1 of 3

Definition of blanknext
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

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
And when there was no space left in the hallway, large, blank canvases were hung in the kitchen to make room for more. Maddy Keyes, The Frontier, 5 Mar. 2026 Slinging a black velvet jacket over her arm, the star also accessorized with blank angular sunglasses and some gold bangles on her wrist. Lara Walsh, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
Duval County has two lines at early voting sites, one for ExpressVote and the other for a traditional fill-in-the-blanks ballot. Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026 Subvert the style by leaving the cuticle-adjacent half-moons blank. Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 9 Feb. 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
  • There are some players in the NBA who couldn’t hit 50 out of 100 three-pointers in an empty gym, Redick said.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Further announcements on Tuesday and in coming days from other cities about other reward increases and offers for fugitives who will fill empty spots on the list are expected, the agency said.
    Sierra van der Brug, Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.
    Michael Abbott, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • That devoid ingredient hindered things exponentially.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 Feb. 2024
Adjective
  • For me, no beach vacation is complete without a fun, flirty, little slip tucked into an overstuffed suitcase.
    Minty Mellon, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Douse fires with a good amount of water and stir to ensure complete cooling.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • To request an invitation, please complete the form below.
    Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Not 48 hours earlier, Arenas was confined to his bed, sick with a particularly unforgiving form of the flu.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The emptiness was an eerie reminder of how the country felt during Covid-19.
    Emma Graham, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026
  • In another photographer’s hands, Atget’s subjects, which show how thought and vision can work in tandem with emptiness, would likely be only a backdrop to the drama of humanity.
    Hilton Als, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Atlanta's plan to protect human rights during the 2026 FIFA World Cup is facing criticism from a coalition of community organizations that say the city ignored their input while developing the framework.
    Christopher Harris, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Netflix has largely ignored the format that dominates the phone of anyone under 35.
    Max Cutler, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Firefighters rushed to downtown Los Angeles to extinguish flames that engulfed a vacant business Thursday afternoon.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Two decades later, the land around the stadium remains mostly vacant.
    Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • When Rob revealed his true identity on the Season 4 finale, Maura’s reaction was one of utter shock.
    Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
  • The biggest question many are asking is why the Jets would bring back Smith after his first tenure with the team was an utter disaster.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

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!

More from Merriam-Webster