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
At the corner of West Boulevard and Romare Bearden Drive, the majority of a 3.5-acre lot sits empty. Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2025 Fill an empty 2-liter bottle with warm water from the sink. Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 4 July 2025
Verb
Jonathan had a personal spiritual adviser with him who he’s also got with him in Season 6 just to help prepare his heart and his mind for emptying himself of his own ego and as much of his own humanity as possible to try to even. Jim Halterman, Variety, 29 June 2025 Every week throughout the summer, Pickett emptied dozens of plastic cups that had been filled with a thick liquid preservative and buried in the ground up to their rims, waiting for crawling insects to stumble in. Madeline Bodin, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for emptiness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emptiness
Noun
  • Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health authorities, triggered a hunger crisis, and left much of the territory in ruins.
    Olivia Le Poidevin, USA Today, 8 July 2025
  • This is a great moment to pay attention to your baby and learn their hunger cues, which will help you to determine when to feed and how much later on.
    Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • Without questions, let alone answers, faith fills the void.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 8 July 2025
  • Later that night, Bertha sits in bed, staring blankly into the void until George comes in.
    Alice Burton, Vulture, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • But vacancies are increasing across much of the prison system, corrections data show.
    Mario Koran, jsonline.com, 12 July 2025
  • There are also questions about whether critical vacancies at the NWS could have affected emergency response if warnings didn’t make it to the right people.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 10 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
  • After making an improbably run to the College Football Playoff last season, the Tigers are hungry for more.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
  • Similarly, Scorpios can also be intense, passionate and hungry for power.
    Kyle Thomas, People.com, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • The most likely candidates for an add would be the 2024 seventh-round pick Hanson or Driskell, but neither had an offensive snap last season outside of the team’s meaningless week 18 game against Denver.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2025
  • Choose one, and land in a place that reduces the number of meaningless games for a conference that plays more Group of Five and FCS cupcakes than any other Power Four league.
    Blake Toppmeyer, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • The incumbents protect the fort until the fort is worthless (cliche cf.
    Forrester, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Barring a last-second surprise, their bets are scheduled to expire worthless when the clock strikes 11 p.m. Texas local time.
    Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • First responders also attempted to revive Riccardo, but were unsuccessful, the outlet added.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 12 July 2025
  • All attempts to resuscitate the man were unsuccessful, Park Service officials said.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Emptiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emptiness. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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