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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 empty
Adjective
Even without their shocking-orange hue, Cheetos are mostly empty vectors for salt and fat. Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2025 Go Mid-Week After Shelves Are Restocked Though Mondays can be quiet, shelves are usually empty after the weekend onslaught. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
The boat ramp, which also serves as a fishing pier, sits close to a part of the river that empties out into the Long Island Sound. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2025 Massage the foam, then empty the tub and repeat the clean rinse process with clean water. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for empty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for empty
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
  • What they’re really known for, though, is their grass-fed, local beef burgers and hearty portions—so make sure to come hungry.
    Angela Lian, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2025
  • What hungry kids really need is better politicians, served up with a side of common sense and a dash of compassion.
    Pat Beall, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But looking into the era of AI, the whole concept of the corporate moat may become meaningless.
    Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Such a decision is understandable, as coaches are concerned about players possibly getting injured in what are essentially meaningless games.
    Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • That support helped plenty, but would have been worthless without serious drive and hard work, as well as Navarro’s two years at the University of Virginia.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Anything less than a total social reckoning—a complete psychological makeover of white America—was worthless.
    Book Marks August 21, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • As in the first case, life-saving efforts were unsuccessful.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2025
  • According to the coroner, the umbilical cord was not cut and an attempt to deliver the placenta at an unknown time the next morning was unsuccessful.
    David Chiu, People.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • For the outing at the California theme park, Cox wore an oversized white blouse with blank pants and sandals.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • One Redditor said their iPad now had a blank screen, but to be clear there hasn’t been an iPad update.
    David Phelan, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The toy shop building, which also houses a number of restaurants, shops and a cinema, has been evacuated, Russian news agencies reported.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Depth and velocity of the water are not always obvious; the ground or road may suddenly wash away and hidden dangers may exist; do not attempt to evacuate through floodwaters.
    Staff reports, AZCentral.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • For the visual effects supervisors who were tasked with bringing the arctic horrors to life, their challenge was adding depth and value to a barren landscape.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Deep in the interior lies Askja, a vast volcanic caldera surrounded by a barren lava desert.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Empty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/empty. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.

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