hollow 1 of 3

hollow

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noun

hollow

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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
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
Noun
Guadagnino, in interviews since the film’s debut at the Venice Film Festival, in August, has waved off critiques that the film is hollow. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025 Insert the Blueberry Take one blueberry and press it into the hollow center of the lychee, where the pit once was. Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
Detractors wondered if the unending positivity was beneficial in the locker room, if the optimism was starting to ring hollow. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for hollow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hollow
Adjective
  • The Soarin’ hang-gliding flight simulator attractions combine mechanical lift systems with three rows of seats and aerial footage projected onto an 80-foot-tall concave domed movie screen to create a visual tour tied to a specific theme.
    Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 20 Oct. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • Keep your windows closed and patch any holes in screens to deter moths from entering your home.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Next, a 10,000-pound concrete-and-steel battering ram was used to punch 24-foot holes through the ice, beginning at the far end of the whales' four-mile path to freedom, so as not to alarm them.
    Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • At the Racetrack Playa, a dry lake bed between the Cottonwood and Last Chance ranges, stones large and small slide across the valley floor, leaving trails in the sand.
    Graham Averill, Outside, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Farther up, on Observatory Hill, tall cryptomeria trees were silhouetted in the darkening evening, and down in the valleys, lights winked on like reflections of the planets and stars appearing in the sky.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 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
  • The home features a walkout basement with a movie theater, spa, custom workout room and sunken golf simulator, Heffernan said.
    Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Ancient Rome sits around 23 feet below the current street level, which means many ancient monuments like the Pantheon appear sunken.
    Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The dent was big enough for a Stop Sale on the tomato sauce.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The note that tariffs on Chinese imports, even after the 10-percentage-point cut announced, remain high enough to put a serious dent on import volume.
    Lori Ann LaRocco, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In the Dominican Republic, 12 provinces are on red alert due to possible flooding of rivers, streams and ravines as well as flash floods and landslides.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
  • His aged dog disappears and is later found dead at the bottom of a ravine.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • When an autopsy was conducted on Campbell, it was discovered that seven of the 11 stab wounds penetrated her heart.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The formulation is meant to create scaffold-like structures that wrap around strands and penetrate the hair cuticle and cortex for inside-out protection and repair.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hollow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hollow. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.

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