Thesaurus

empty

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

adjective

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Synonyms & Antonyms of empty

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 lacking contents that could or should be present

the refrigerator is empty, so we'll have to eat out

Synonyms for empty

bare,
blank,
clean,
devoid,
stark,
toom
[chiefly Scottish],
vacant,
vacuous,
void

Words Related to empty

barren,
hollow

Near Antonyms for empty

complete

replete

filled,
occupied

Antonyms for empty

full

2 feeling a desire or need for food

as the long car trip wore on, we all started to feel a little empty

Synonyms for empty

famished,
hungry,
peckish
[chiefly British],
starved,
starving

Words Related to empty

Near Antonyms for empty

Antonyms for empty

3 having no meaning

spare me your empty apologies because if you were truly sorry, you'd change

Synonyms for empty

Words Related to empty

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Antonyms for empty

4 having no usefulness

an empty task that was assigned just to keep us busy

Synonyms for empty

Words Related to empty

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Antonyms for empty

5 producing no results

all of the leads in the missing-person case were turning up empty

Synonyms for empty

Words Related to empty

counterproductive

Phrases Synonymous with empty

Near Antonyms for empty

Antonyms for empty

6 not expressing any emotion

the speaker looked out at a crowd of empty faces

Synonyms for empty

Words Related to empty

Near Antonyms for empty

Antonyms for empty

empty

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms of empty (Entry 2 of 2)

to remove the contents of

empty the room before starting to paint the ceiling

Synonyms for empty

Words Related to empty

bleed,
draw (off)

Antonyms for empty

fill,
load

Frequently Asked Questions About empty

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