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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
When Renee Good tried to move away, she was shot, point blank, three times. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026 Springsteen’s calendar is blank for the foreseeable future, though a solo album is expected to arrive at some point this year. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2026
Noun
Local Aboriginal people are being trained to help monitor the fish so that when the scientists leave, their work will help fill in the blanks about the Bloomfield Cod. Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025 Binaural Beats Binaural beats, which are becoming increasingly popular online, are songs that feed tones of different frequencies into each ear; the brain then fills in the blank and perceives a third tone, which is thought to elicit calm and brain wave activity. Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 11 Dec. 2025
Verb
Minnesota blanked Calgary 2-0 last month in St. Paul, in their first meeting of the season. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 3 Dec. 2025 Freight rate indices such as Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) and the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) have seen a rapid rebound in recent weeks as more carriers scramble to blank sailings and implement new general rate increases to keep prices stable. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blank
Adjective
  • But the duo ultimately stayed more than nine months because of technical issues that cropped up en route with the Starliner vehicle — which NASA opted to fly home empty due to safety concerns.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
  • More than two years removed from the pandemic, only half of state workers are back downtown compared to levels in 2019, and empty state office buildings are sitting in limbo.
    Steve Large, CBS News, 21 Jan. 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
  • Read on for the complete list of winners and nominees.
    Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
  • His plans are complete, and permits are moving forward.
    Sarah Alegre, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Alternatively, individuals can enter without making a purchase by filling out the free online entry form with all its required information, and as a result, secure one spin.
    Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
  • The Lords of Algorithm would rather have the function of writing performed by ChatGPT-3 and the art rendered by DALL-E, the rest of us will still have to draft emails and fill out forms.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Instead, the general indifference shown toward its own story — or, at least, the best versions of it — comes to emphasize the emptiness at its core.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Jan. 2026
  • He was left with an unfamiliar emptiness.
    Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The closet is probably the easiest room to ignore when things get disorganized.
    Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
  • Dell is finally good at something—but as her behavior becomes riskier and a shadowy troll threatens to expose her dark past, Dell must reckon with what her digital life ignores, and what real redemption means.
    Danielle Parker, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Gaethje also fell short in his second try at winning the UFC 155-pound belt, dropping a submission to Charles Oliveira for the vacant title in May 2022.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Flores also interviewed with the Washington Commanders for their vacant defensive coordinator post.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Overall, though, Payton showed an utter unwillingness to trust his backfield against one of the league’s worst rushing defenses in the Bills.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2026
  • Of course Canton voters had the most up-close-and-personal view of the utter corruption of the Karen Read prosecution.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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