hollow 1 of 3

hollow

2 of 3

noun

hollow

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word hollow distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of hollow are empty, idle, nugatory, otiose, and vain. While all these words mean "being without worth or significance," empty and hollow suggest a deceiving lack of real substance or soundness or genuineness.

an empty attempt at reconciliation
a hollow victory

When is it sensible to use idle instead of hollow?

Although the words idle and hollow have much in common, idle suggests being incapable of worthwhile use or effect.

idle speculations

When could nugatory be used to replace hollow?

The synonyms nugatory and hollow are sometimes interchangeable, but nugatory suggests triviality or insignificance.

a monarch with nugatory powers

When can otiose be used instead of hollow?

In some situations, the words otiose and hollow are roughly equivalent. However, otiose suggests that something serves no purpose and is either an encumbrance or a superfluity.

a film without a single otiose scene

Where would vain be a reasonable alternative to hollow?

While in some cases nearly identical to hollow, vain implies either absolute or relative absence of value.

vain promises

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 hollow
Adjective
Gatsby the cipher is another symbol of the hollowing effects of the wealth pursuit. Brittany Allen july 10, Literary Hub, 10 July 2025 And our love for them is starting to hollow us out. Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
This is particularly true for Gen Zers, many of whom are savvy enough to see through hollow campaigns and quick to reject hypocrisy. Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025 This is particularly true for Gen Zers, many of whom are savvy enough to see through hollow campaigns and quick to reject hypocrisy. Aaron Mansfield, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
Critics argue that Thiel’s warnings about the Antichrist ring hollow given his role in building the very surveillance infrastructure that could enable authoritarian control. Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025 The assertion that billionaires need tax relief because of high expenses like car insurance or property taxes on luxury homes rings hollow. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hollow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hollow
Adjective
  • In particular, the concave deck feels a lot like a skateboard and allows for better board feel and control—enabling Payne to do actual kick-flips on the wave.
    Rob Reed, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The bell and diaphragm devices have a wide, flat side for high frequencies and a smaller, concave side for low frequencies.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Buffalo’s forward depth has already been tested early in the season, and Danforth is a versatile player who helps the Sabres plug holes in the bottom six.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • When the Chicago rat hole went viral, Magle and his team considered how the mark was made.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Though expert hikers can make the round trip in a day, many take up to three, granting extra time to float in swimming holes, scope out waterfalls, and take in the hanging valleys and lush forests pouring into the sea.
    Jacqueline Kehoe, AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025
  • When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • At least the climactic pandemonium has some of that old REC intensity; Plaza dynamically orchestrates the violence, dazzling the eyes of his audience one minute, gouging the eyes of his characters the next.
    A.A. Dowd, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Ella’s son is now 7 and sometimes traipses downstairs to gouge his grandparents’ cereal collection.
    Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This fungal disease appears as gray blotches on the bark, eventually developing into sunken cankers.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Burnett’s stage was designed so that the audience was seated below the eye level of the performers, in a sunken pit, rather than above them, on risers.
    Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The Flooring Company Owner Then there’s Jeff Epstein, 57, who runs a flooring company in Tuscon, Arizona — and says that his name has thankfully never put a dent in his business.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Softened is different from melted, because softened butter still holds its shape but dents when pressed.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Every year in the early fall, along the riverbanks and ravines of the Southeast coast, pawpaws begin to show up in the understory.
    Stephanie Ganz, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Of course, Tom finds him first and inanely yells his name across the ravine.
    Grace Byron, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The thermal lance Caan uses to penetrate the safe was Santucci’s own burning bar.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Kim has called for the development of multi-warhead systems that would improve the chances of penetrating missile defenses, and some experts say the Hwasong-20 could be designed for that purpose.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hollow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hollow. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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