emptiness 1 of 3

empty

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adjective

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empty

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verb

as in to evacuate
to remove the contents of empty the room before starting to paint the ceiling

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective empty contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of empty are blank, vacant, vacuous, and void. While all these words mean "lacking contents which could or should be present," empty suggests a complete absence of contents.

an empty bucket

When might blank be a better fit than empty?

While in some cases nearly identical to empty, blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface.

a blank wall

When could vacant be used to replace empty?

The words vacant and empty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants.

a vacant apartment

When is vacuous a more appropriate choice than empty?

Although the words vacuous and empty have much in common, 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 empty?

The meanings of void and empty 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 emptiness
Adjective
Cops said two other North Providence employees witnessed D’Andrea empty a Gatorade bottle, put wiper fluid inside and then put the bottle back in the office fridge in late June, WPRI reported. Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 29 July 2025 Authorities spent months searching for her killer—but came up empty as the case went cold. Kc Baker, People.com, 28 July 2025
Verb
The chamber closes and water is emptied, dropping to the level on the opposite side of the dam. Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 9 July 2025 Wilson remained on the floor for more than a minute, and Las Vegas’ entire bench emptied and surrounded her. Ben Pickman, New York Times, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for emptiness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emptiness
Noun
  • Cafu, on the other hand, will be entering the ring with plenty of confidence and hunger, knowing that an upset win could change his life and put him at the center of the super flyweight spotlight.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
  • So the Dolphins open their training camp this coming Tuesday and the Canes unfurl their preseason work a week later as two massive fan bases ache with hunger that one or both might do what neither has in a generation: Make Miami Great Again.
    Greg Cote July 17, Miami Herald, 17 July 2025
Noun
  • Another hour of your life is about to vanish into the corporate void.
    Ishaan Agarwal, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • His call for reconciliation reflects a broader sentiment among fans and artists alike who feel the void left by their separation, and hope to see that energy revived.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • The City Commission is charged with appointing a replacement to fill the vacancy, according to the City Charter.
    Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 23 July 2025
  • In 2024, nearly half of hospitals had nursing vacancy rates higher than 10 percent, with the average time to fill a Registered Nurse (RN) position taking anywhere from 59 to 109 days.
    Michael B. Horn, Forbes.com, 22 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
  • Milwaukee Brewers fans are hungry for a 12th consecutive victory -- and a free George Webb’s burger.
    Sofia Joseph, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025
  • But the scene also looms large for young Ruth: Maria’s earrings represent the mysterious world of adults, one that Ruth is hungry to learn more about.
    Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • These include feeling emotionally numb or that life is meaningless; experiencing difficulty accepting the loss; and experiencing confusion over their own identity.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 28 July 2025
  • But the whole beauty and focus of local government is that issues like quality schools or the disaster at the Tijuana River Estuary transcend and sometimes make meaningless party labels.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 July 2025
Adjective
  • Demand Enterprise-Grade Safeguards Speed is worthless without security.
    Marcin Nowak, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
  • Mamdani’s virality would have been worthless—or, perhaps, impossible—without his laser focus on the high cost of living in New York.
    Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • Although a request for proposals for a new company to run the facility drew interest from at least two companies, neither ended up completing the process to submit a proposal and efforts to reach out to other companies have so far been unsuccessful, Hyde said.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 July 2025
  • Roughly 45 seconds later, Van der Walt tried to add hot air to the envelope and close the rapid deflation valve but was unsuccessful, according to the report.
    Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Emptiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emptiness. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

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