emptiness 1 of 3

Definition of emptinessnext

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
Noun
Lift up your eyes unto the hills, and behold all that delightful emptiness. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026 Elijah Strand, Athena’s uncle, told the court that Horner’s actions devastated their family and left them with an emptiness that can’t be filled. Harriet Ramos may 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 May 2026
Adjective
Not because the closet is empty. Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026 Most of us try to fix a closet that feels empty by adding to it. Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2026
Verb
Despite those efforts, the pool still faced algae blooms and needed to be emptied out periodically to clean out algae, goose droppings and other detritus. Joe Walsh, CBS News, 19 June 2026 Take advantage of this extra sale time before the shelves (and carts) empty out. Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for emptiness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emptiness
Noun
  • The state also ranks fourth in the nation for childhood poverty and hunger, according to Katie Ruth Camp, the organization's vice president of marketing and public relations.
    Joshua Cole, CBS News, 24 June 2026
  • Feeling comfortably full may help prevent waking up from hunger in the middle of the night.
    Julie Scott, Verywell Health, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • After two devastating quakes, first responders were fishermen, doctors and emigres returning from abroad — a grassroots campaign filling a government void.
    Helena Carpio, Washington Post, 30 June 2026
  • It was meant to fill a void in a fragmented and historically slow infrastructure.
    Christian Catalini, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • The more recent a post, the more likely the vacancy hasn’t been filled yet.
    Chelsea Tobin, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • Adamo did not specify how many residents applied for the vacancy.
    Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • People prone to heartburn or acid reflux may also find lemon water irritating, especially on an empty stomach.
    Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 23 June 2026
  • Onaje’s body was covered with numerous bruises to the chest, stomach, back and legs.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Not only do the records feature scuff marks and price tags, but poems and doodles—as if the blankness was begging to be filled in.
    Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 May 2026
  • The terrifying blankness of James Raterman’s military interrogator.
    Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • This handheld vacuum has a lightweight design and strong suction to clean debris in hard-to-reach areas behind the couch, in the car, and other hard-to-reach areas.
    Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026
  • To secure modern cryptographic systems against the vulnerabilities of predictable data, Fraunhofer IPMS developed Q-Dic that harvests true randomness from unpredictable quantum vacuum fluctuations.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • Symptoms of cyclosporiasis occur between two days and two weeks after exposure, and include frequent watery diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight, abdominal cramps and bloating, nausea and low-grade fever.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
  • Monroe County health officials say symptoms occur two to 14 days after exposure and include frequent watery diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight, cramps and bloating, nausea and low-grade fever.
    DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Retrofitted rat traps that fired Hollywood blanks meant to deafen and deter.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 June 2026
  • The remainder — 27 in the field of 45 candidates in 16 districts — gave themselves either a nonpartisan label or left the line blank.
    Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Emptiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emptiness. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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