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
Noun
Without a sense of meaning, even the most structured plans feel hollow. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025 Forcing workers to self-teach under pressure is a short-sighted gamble that reveals a hollow commitment to development. Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
Then, my ears pick up the faintest rustle in the grass from the hollow. Helen Whybrow july 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025 Black velvet bows were placed on the dress at the hollow of the Steinfeld's neck, at the center of her bust and torso, and the bottom of the dress had a daring center slit that hit her mid-thigh. Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 7 July 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
  • New York could use help across the board, but the infield and the pitching staff are likely the two biggest holes on the roster.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Such landscapes were once common in North America — both in the west (where prairie dog colonies provided an abundance of holes) and in Florida (where the owls generally dig their own).
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The fossil was embedded inside rocks that date to between 115 million and 108 million years ago, in the Early Cretaceous period, when the area was covered by a lush river valley.
    Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The best way to remove algae, dirt, mildew, and other debris from your deck is with a pressure washer, but be careful not to gouge the wood by getting too close.
    Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Last year, Burns attempted to gouge his wife's eye out during an altercation.
    Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Parker gets a crew together including an old friend (LaKeith Stanfield) and a new ally (Rosa Salazar) to steal sunken treasure coming into New York, getting on the bad side of the mob and a billionaire.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Simple pleasure in reading, the childhood delight of hunkering down with a good book and a warm bagel on my chest, sitting sideways on a sunken armchair with my head on its arm, no longer felt possible.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Intel has been happy to discard money-losing side projects in recent years, and dedicated Arc GPUs have struggled to make much of a dent in the GPU market.
    Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Instead, opt for easy DIY projects to get in the spirit without leaving a dent in your wallet.
    Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas.
    Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • If readings reach dangerous levels, astronauts can construct a makeshift radiation shield inside Orion, fortifying themselves between the spacecraft's heatshield and water storage canisters, both of which are better at absorbing penetrating radiation than other onboard materials.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Salicylic acid penetrates deep into the pores to dissolve away acne-causing debris, while coddling the skin barrier with a cocktail of ceramides and niacinamide.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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