as in concave
curved inward
there's a noticeably hollow spot in the mattress where he has been sleeping
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hollow
CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
The researchers focused on true tessellations, in which geometric tiles are discrete structural pieces separated by softer seams, rather than purely visual or hollow patterns such as animal coloration or honeycombs.
—Anirban Mukhopadhyay, Scientific American, 5 Jan. 2026
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 23 Nov. 2025
Swipe it onto the hollows of the cheeks, across the forehead, and across the bridge of the nose for that just-got-back-from-vacation glow.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 18 Nov. 2025
Rod Yancy, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
But as time goes on, and more and more dollars flow out while more and more goods come in, the country starts hollowing itself out.
—Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hollow
Adjective
As Randall held a knife to the man’s throat, Flynn fired a hollow-point bullet into his head.
—CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
The researchers focused on true tessellations, in which geometric tiles are discrete structural pieces separated by softer seams, rather than purely visual or hollow patterns such as animal coloration or honeycombs.
—Anirban Mukhopadhyay, Scientific American, 5 Jan. 2026
Noun
As Kayleen gets older, Young descends that center into herself, becoming weighted with disappointment, wide-eyed, and hollow.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 23 Nov. 2025
Swipe it onto the hollows of the cheeks, across the forehead, and across the bridge of the nose for that just-got-back-from-vacation glow.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 18 Nov. 2025
Verb
The responsibility lies with leaders to use it in ways that strengthen creativity rather than hollowing it out.
—Rod Yancy, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
But as time goes on, and more and more dollars flow out while more and more goods come in, the country starts hollowing itself out.
—Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hollow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hollow
Adjective
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The cello’s top and back are made from flat, concave carbon-fiber panels.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Dec. 2025
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But in all realities, the E3 uses two auto-focus points – like a stereo range finder – for engraving over uneven or concave/convex surfaces.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Nov. 2025
Noun
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His absence left yet another hole in the quartet featuring him, Ball, Knueppel and Bridges.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Plunging directly in the frigid lake via holes carved in the ice.—
Julia Sayers Gokhale,
Midwest Living,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Cumberland Gap Where Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia meet, Cumberland Gap sits in a valley that looks up at the famous gap in the Cumberland Mountain range from which the town gets its name.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
8 Jan. 2026
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Narrow, winding streets and passageways lead up to the centuries-old Eglise Saint-Sauveur for sweeping views of the rugged valley.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At Dia, the cage has been reconstructed in full, complete with Hsieh’s boots and his tally marks gouged into the wall.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
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For example, a rock just 11 pounds (5 kilograms) in mass can gouge a crater more than 30 feet (9 meters) wide and eject over 75 metric tons of lunar soil and rock, according to NASA.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Guests can relax by the sunken pool, inspired by classic Texas swimming holes; an on-site spa is also available.—
Taylor McIntyre,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Dec. 2025
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But when a recipe specifically calls for something else, substituting another type may leave you with a sunken cake or flat biscuits.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
20 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Additionally, the federal tax credit could be bundled with local incentives for more savings, putting a serious dent in the total costs of an electric vehicle purchase.—
Charles Singh,
Nashville Tennessean,
7 Nov. 2025
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The dent was big enough for a Stop Sale on the tomato sauce.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The watershed also is situated on relatively flat, low-lying and porous terrain, enabling higher tides to penetrate deeper into the freshwater marshes through the vast network of canals that holds the watershed together.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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Massaging it into the scalp helps stimulate circulation and allows the product to penetrate more effectively.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Christmas garlands, high heels, and even craft supplies have all found a home in the spacious cavity.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
7 Jan. 2026
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Plaque is the sticky film of germs that can cause cavities and make your breath smell bad.—
Linda Bartoshuk,
The Conversation,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hollow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hollow. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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