Synonyms of hollow

hollow 1 of 3

adjective

ˈhä-(ˌ)lō 

as in concave

curved inward

there's a noticeably hollow spot in the mattress where he has been sleeping

Synonyms & Similar Words

• concave
• sunken
• depressed
• dimpled
• cupped
• indented
• recessed
• dished
• dented
• compressed
• cavernous
• alveolar
• crescentic
• cuplike
• recurved
• reduced
• diminished
• condensed
• cuppy
• pockmarked
• contracted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• convex
• protuberant
• bulbous
• swollen
• projecting
• risen
• enlarged
• inflated
• distended
• puffy
• extended
• protruding
• bloated
• spherical
• round
• bulging
• rounded
• blown up
• protrusive
• domed
• expanded
• cambered
• globular
• ballooning
• global
• puffed
• jutting

hollow

2 of 3

noun

1

as in hole

a sunken area forming a separate space

made a little hollow in her mound of mashed potatoes and filled it with gravy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hole
• dent
• cavity
• pit
• furrow
• concavity
• indentation
• ditch
• recess
• depression
• cavern
• dint
• cave
• valley
• trench
• bowl
• burrow
• groove
• impression
• alcove
• indenture
• pocket
• trough
• basin
• excavation
• opening
• gutter
• socket
• crater
• dimple
• cleft
• vacuum
• void
• nook
• niche
• gouge
• abyss
• imprint
• alveolus
• chasm
• well
• water hole
• borehole
• notch
• pothole
• sinkhole
• vacuity
• posthole
• wallow
• chuckhole
• gulf

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• projection
• bulge
• protrusion
• hill
• convexity
• rise
• camber
• protuberance
• mound
• jut
• swelling
• tumor
• lump
• swell
• bunch
• bump
• hump
• pimple

2

as in valley

an area of lowland between hills or mountains

a quaint village nestled in a hollow among green hills

Synonyms & Similar Words

• valley
• ravine
• canyon
• vale
• glen
• gorge
• dale
• dene
• gully
• bowl
• gulch
• rift valley
• combe
• dell
• basin
• dingle
• depression
• kloof

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mountain
• peak
• mount
• summit
• height
• pinnacle
• plateau
• mountaintop
• alp
• tableland

hollow

3 of 3

verb

as in to gouge

Related Words

• gouge
• penetrate
• groove
• excavate
• burrow (into)
• slit
• split
• cut
• rupture
• slash
• rend
• notch
• prick
• poke
• bore
• hole
• gash
• tap
• break
• pierce
• drill
• perforate
• puncture
• punch
• broach
• prickle
• riddle

Dissimilar Words

• fill
• patch
• seal
• plug

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

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

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

Recent Examples of hollow

Adjective

Ignore that, and the celebration can become hollow and commodified. —Andy McCullough, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026

The alternative would be to let Chinese tankers through to avoid confrontation, but in so doing expose the blockade as a hollow strategy. —Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026

Noun

Generously pipe filling into hollow of each egg white half (save any leftover filling in the fridge for another use). —Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026

The breeding pair, both six years and 10 months old, constructed the area's first nest in a century high within a hollow of an old-growth redwood in the Redwood Creek drainage. —Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 5 Mar. 2026

Verb

That’s the joke at the heart of Washington: The very struggle that’s hollowed the place out is also the only way it can be renewed. —Josh Tyrangiel, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026

Near the pool, shallow stone hollows mark where Zibibbo grapes were once laid out to dry for Passito di Pantelleria, the island’s renowned sweet wine. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2026