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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 for the Red Sox offense, whose 330 runs are fourth-most in MLB, a pitcher who can give them a chance to score first by blanking the opposition out of the gate obviously gives them a much better chance to win. Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025 The Los Angeles bullpen blanked the Mets for the next four innings, but Jeff McNeil hit a three-run triple off closer Tanner Scott in the bottom of the ninth, and Tyrone Taylor scored McNeil with an RBI single to send the game into extra innings. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 24 May 2025
Noun
For architects, the city offers a blank canvas for their unfettered imagination. Zoë Dare Hall, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025 Once the blank matte fiberglass star is decorated by the artist, the village takes the transformed sculpture to an automotive body shop that finishes it with a shiny topcoat to be UV-and-graffiti-resistant. Yadira Sanchez Olson, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
Verb
President Donald Trump has instructed the Treasury to finally cease production of the coin, with the Mint putting in its final order for penny blanks earlier this month. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025 The federal agency placed its final order for penny blanks this month, with the United States Mint slated to end manufacturing of the penny when that runs out, a Treasury official told CBS MoneyWatch. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for blank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blank
Adjective
  • The notion Tehran was sprinting toward a nuclear bomb is an empty talking point.
    Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • Always empty or cover the pool when not in use to prevent accidents and mosquito breeding.
    Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 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
  • The upshot is that means better paper compatibility, since the pages don't have to make a complete turn.
    Brad Bourque, Wired News, 29 June 2025
  • To maintain growth, the company expanded the platform into a complete business admin service while also taking a risk on expanding to the U.S.
    Trevor Clawson, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • There are multiple forms of heat illnesses, but heatstroke is the deadliest and most dangerous, according to the NPS.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 23 June 2025
  • This problem comes in various forms, but there’s often a connecting thread and a commonality to the challenges.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • While Paladino’s nonsense was rightfully ignored, a letter from a member of the House majority to the AG may not be ignored, especially this AG, especially under this president.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
  • Those who depend on freewheeling and shoot-from-the-hip strategies and tactics to address a crisis are ignoring or disregarding fundamental crisis management best practices that favor a calm, deliberate, and thoughtful approach.
    Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • With one seat vacant, there are 10 people on the Tarrant GOP Executive Committee, according to the Tarrant GOP website.
    Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2025
  • That includes taking over a vacant adjacent strip center, adding thousands of square feet of retail space, more than 600 residential units and a central, green space to be called The Square.
    David Moin, Footwear News, 30 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
  • What seemed to me like a slightly boring menu on paper was anything but.
    Sofia Perez, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • But what sounds innovative on paper has opened the door to major privacy slip-ups.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 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 6 Jul. 2025.

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