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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
But Kikuchi blanked the Astros on four hits, striking out nine and walking none, for the rest of his seven-inning, 103-pitch start to give the Angels a chance to come back. Mike Digiovanna, Oc Register, 21 June 2025 Over two matches at the Club World Cup, LAFC was blanked by Chelsea and now a Tunisian side. Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Noun
Michie built the rod for me using a 39-thread, Shakespeare, fiberglass blank with Mildrum guides. Donald Millus, Outdoor Life, 3 July 2025 According to Ford's notice to U.S. highway safety regulators, the defect can cause the camera to either display a blank screen or keep the image on the display after the vehicle is no longer in reverse, potentially distracting the driver. Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
Verb
But for others, especially high-achieving professionals used to being seen and heard, working from home quietly unearths a troubling mental pattern: when the feedback loop goes silent, the mind fills in the blanks. Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 Last month, the Treasury Department placed its last order of blanks – flat metal discs to make pennies – in a move set into motion by President Donald Trump in February. Mike Snider, USA Today, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for blank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blank
Adjective
  • Whether you’re just getting started or you’re headed to the Med Spa, Noh has advice for how to up your skincare game, avoid empty trends, and DIY your skincare at home with her favorite products, face exercises, and step-by-step skincare routines.
    Carmen Rios, Flow Space, 7 July 2025
  • The black silhouette of a male head and shoulders sits atop a ladder whose rungs are capped at each end with empty spools that might have held the threads of life.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 7 July 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
  • Now, fans only need to wait until July 25 to get their hands on the complete EP.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • Even with the return of stars Ronald Acuna Jr. and Spencer Strider, the season has gone the complete opposite way than the Braves had hoped.
    Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Here’s what these intense forms of love reveal about us.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
  • Her soft-hued shadow juxtaposed a black wing, which took the form of a thick tail reaching from her outer eye corner to her temple.
    India Espy-Jones, Essence, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • Too many times last year the line would just ignore somebody running right at them.
    Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • But Eufy is way more similar to my former dogs Biff and Frank, who generally ignored me and went about their own business.
    David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Manny Pacquiao The 30-year-old Barrios won the vacant WBC interim welterweight title in September 2023 with a unanimous decision over Yordenis Ugás.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • Denver’s sideline contingent Court-side seats were mostly vacant on Thursday when the Nuggets opened Summer League play against Milwaukee.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • The bagels were utter perfection to my mind, taste buds and insidees, and a spell of satisfaction and euphoria took over.
    Michelle Greenwald, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • But the European agenda must also aim to reverse Gazans’ utter dependence on outside aid while enhancing reconstruction standards.
    Josep Borrell Fontelles, Foreign Affairs, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • On paper, noncitizen voting could be sacrificed without much downside for the party.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 July 2025
  • But even if the numbers themselves are taken with a pinch of salt, the authors of the paper argue, the results as a whole still point in an ominous direction.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.

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