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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
Robots with smooth, blank faces typed blindly in an old-fashioned office. Lila Shapiro, Vulture, 4 June 2025 Around the world, natural disasters—including the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina the following year—have entrenched this concept, whereby crises create a blank sheet ready to be exploited by Big Business. Charlie Campbell, Time, 5 June 2025
Noun
During the start of her research during the pandemic, McMorris took virtual tours of the tunnels and read historical texts from the Oregon Historical Society to fill in the blanks. Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 21 May 2025 Evidence logs show that investigators found only a starter pistol, a type of firearm that fires blanks and is usually used to signal the start of a race. Jon Schuppe, NBC news, 2 May 2025
Verb
Matty Taylor allowed two hits and struck out nine as No. 7 Sandwich (16-5) blanked No. 26 Dover-Sherborn 8-0 in a Div. 3 first-round game. Danny Ventura, Boston Herald, 2 June 2025 In fact, Eflin, with his new team, blanked Tampa Bay over seven innings to pick up the win two days earlier. Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for blank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blank
Adjective
  • Always empty or cover the pool when not in use to prevent accidents and mosquito breeding.
    Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2025
  • Lawmakers argue that local economies, such as small businesses in downtown areas, suffer when federal offices remain empty.
    Gleb Tsipursky, Time, 25 June 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
  • Platforms like LiveRamp's Data Marketplace allow retailers to license their first-party audiences to programmatic buyers without building a complete DSP/SSP stack.
    Kiri Masters, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • Williams, from Wisconsin, and Heckel, from Southern Cal, make for what could be a devastatingly complete UConn team.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • Please submit your responses in the form below by June 27.
    Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 23 June 2025
  • The truth will impact you in some way, shape, or form.
    Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Only 19% of Americans think the administration can ignore the ruling.
    Sudiksha Kochi, USA Today, 17 June 2025
  • The intent is to trick recipients into ignoring usual government advice as Iranian attacks continue.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • Earlier this month, Udoka was the subject of interest from the New York Knicks for their vacant head coaching position, one that the Rockets vehemently shut down.
    Kelly Iko, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • In 1870, Mississippi legislators voted 81 to 15 to elect Revels to the Senate to finish the term of one of the state’s two U.S Senate seats, which had been left vacant since the Civil War.
    Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • There won’t be adequate words to describe how much changed in such a short period of time, thanks to Trump’s utter debasement of the office, and the GOP’s decision to follow him down one of the ugliest paths imaginable, all the while abandoning principles, morals, and basic common decency.
    S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
  • Where to watch:Apple TV, Amazon, Fandango at Home. 1. 'Jaws' (1975) The seafaring masterpiece sinks every other shark movie in its utter perfection.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • No words about it from his lips, on paper or through his social media site.
    Ani Freedman, Fortune, 20 June 2025
  • And, Toto is now (on paper by one recent estimate at least) a billionaire.
    Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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