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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
An empty pan can reach dangerously high temperatures in just minutes, causing the coating to break down. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025 As the musicians set up onstage, facing the empty row of seats, Campbell began to realize the rationale behind that scenario, even if it wasn’t fully explained to him. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
Officials committed to spending $225,000 a month for 53 rooms through year’s end — despite having just told nonprofit shelter managers to ensure those rooms emptied out. Ashley Hiruko, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2025 Its anti-allergen filter traps dander and pet hair, and its bagless design makes emptying easy. Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 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
  • That devoid ingredient hindered things exponentially.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 Feb. 2024
Adjective
  • There was some fatigue in our performance, but the group are always so professional and so hungry to win.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Visibly hungry for a goal, Messi missed an opportunity to join the scoresheet in the 54th minute.
    Franco Panizo, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Because the Patriots would go on to score 42 consecutive points before a meaningless touchdown drive by the Panthers in the final minutes, Canales’ head-scratching call the play before Jones’ return has drawn scrutiny.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The big numbers coming into the Giants’ otherwise meaningless season finale were 163, 217 and 30.
    Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead, Marks was almost worthless in fantasy while Chubb salvaged his day with a long TD jaunt.
    Michael Salfino, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The current discount rate means that the government views the long-term future of humanity as not metaphorically but literally worthless.
    Geoff Mann, The New York Review of Books, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The pose Harris struck and held through her unsuccessful 2024 campaign for the White House is called the good soldier.
    Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Now, after years of mostly unsuccessful efforts to eliminate windows from cabins, one luxury jet maker appears to be on the verge of doing just that.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • One tactic to deal with lower demand and softer rates could be blank sailings.
    Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • If portions of the page appear blank and an ad blocker is enabled, please disable the ad blocker and refresh the page to ensure full access to the content.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After evacuating moviegoers, theater co-workers Jasmine Frappier, Kiley Nettleton, and Olivia Perritt, all 17, helped care for the church members, giving them food and water.
    Georgea Kovanis, Freep.com, 5 Oct. 2025
  • If told to evacuate, do so immediately.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Giants have Logan Webb and Robbie Ray as their 1-2 punch, but the starting pitching is barren behind them.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Piazzale Angelo Moratti will no longer appear like a vast docking station for a bleeping spaceship on a barren planet, serviced only by rickety trams and a purple metro line.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Empty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/empty. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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