hollow 1 of 3

hollow

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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
According to their analysis of the P-waves and S-waves detected by SEIS, there is water in the porous rock, filling the cracks and hollows between 6 and 12 miles (10 and 20 kilometers) deep. Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2025 Nearby, New York-based, Peru-produced Sordo’s killer hollow polished bronze and silver showed why designers are turning to other metals to combat the ever-rising price of gold. Kate Matthams, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Noun
Some who craft epigrammatic verse can sound hollow, like slamming together tins in hopes that someone will infer meaning from the noise. Nick Ripatrazone july 10, Literary Hub, 10 July 2025 So much corporate messaging sounds completely hollow. Renae Gregoire, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
The hollow is about three miles long and less than half as wide. Bill Thomas, Outdoor Life, 24 Apr. 2025 One theory is that the hollows on the rock resemble parts of a face: eyes, mouth and chin. Rosa Rahimi, CNN Money, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for hollow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hollow
Adjective
  • Alpine slides are similar but have a continuous, concave surface instead of a track.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 4 July 2025
  • High atop a particularly craggy one, the rainfall gets a toehold beneath soil clinging to a very steep and slightly concave slope of rock.
    Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • Toronto has plenty of holes in the roster to add talent.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
  • It's rumored that there are 18 holes on a course because there are 18 shots in a bottle of scotch.
    Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
  • The home’s traditional adobe architecture pops against a lush valley landscape, with gray stucco walls and wooden features juxtaposing the surrounding greenery.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Strike the nose of the alligator hard and often, and try to gouge the eyes.
    Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • Insider tip: the Lake View rooms in the west wing—specifically floors three through five—deliver a prime panorama without gouging your wallet.
    Paul Jebara, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • To learn a little more about the city during your stay, be sure to drop by the lobby’s sunken living room, where a bookcase of Mexican literature awaits.
    Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 13 July 2025
  • Limestone stacked next to a sunken hole — perhaps used to wash it — left the impression workers hastily left the quarry when the lime kiln abruptly halted operations.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • Foreign exchange variations continued to have a negative impact, leaving a 113 million Swiss franc dent in the semester.
    Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 17 July 2025
  • To Process Surge Of Student Loan Repayment Requests The Department of Education latest status report on IDR application processing shows that administration officials and student loan servicers have made only a little dent in the backlog.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Noun
  • When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
  • In a ravine near the home, officers found the bodies of two adults and a teen, officials said.
    Paloma Chavez July 11, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Water should penetrate the top 2 inches of soil to prevent quick evaporation and to encourage the roots to grow down.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 July 2025
  • And yet, that noise never penetrated their cocoon-like recording sessions.
    Mike Wass, Variety, 9 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hollow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hollow. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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