hollow 1 of 3

hollow

2 of 3

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
The rise of advertising, credit, and Facebook made meaning feel personal but hollow. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025 This hackneyed stance has turned his concert performances shrill and hollow. Armond White, National Review, 28 May 2025
Noun
To start, thoroughly clean the coupes out, then remove the bases, and thread the hollow stems onto an appropriately sized wooden dowel rod. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025 For me, my main concern was mild laxity in my lower face, some out-of-nowhere hollows under my eyes, and general dullness. Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 3 May 2025
Verb
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 See All Example Sentences for hollow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hollow
Adjective
  • This installation exposes the rough, concave interior of the sculpture, where Harwood’s hand was evident.
    Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • White diamonds are placed on a concave surface with a gold ball in the center representing the pupil of the eye that rotates on an axis to reveal a round, brilliant center diamond encircled by white diamond baguettes.
    Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • The venue’s sixth hole is a demanding 574 yards, though the back nine eases up with two par-3 offerings.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 18 June 2025
  • On Sunday, Spaun became the first golfer in U.S. Open history to win the tournament despite playing three consecutive holes over par in the final round.
    Don Yaeger, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • On Pressing Onward, Freedia is creating her own religious experience of sorts — one that marries the powerful peaks and sonorous valleys of gospel with the irrepressible, relentless energy of bounce.
    Joe Lynch, Billboard, 23 June 2025
  • The restaurant overlooks the Little Sugar Creek valley and offers a multicourse tasting menu by reservation only. Conifer, Cooper's first restaurant, is known for a completely gluten-free menu, which changes seasonally.
    NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • The reborn, unrecognizable, completely delicious Beethoven Market isn’t trying to gouge or dazzle or food-snob its way to success.
    David Hochman, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • The duties will gouge Americans on cars, food, appliances, electronics, furniture, clothing and — well, nearly everything.
    Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
Adjective
  • Another boater reported the sunken ship Wednesday afternoon to Brewster Fire and Rescue, which then notified the Massachusetts State Police and Massachusetts Environmental Police.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 11 June 2025
  • The most prominent art piece is a copper oak tree that stands next to the sunken living room.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • Schweitzer’s retirement dents the depth at an already questionable position for the Patriots.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 10 June 2025
  • Debuting in April with all eight episodes dropping at once, Étoile earned mostly positive reviews but failed to make a dent in the Nielsen streaming charts.
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 20 June 2025
  • Intense rainfall, as common in tropical latitudes, and water vapor in the eruption column can mix with volcanic ash and debris, forming deadly mudflows called lahars by geologists after an Indonesian word for ravines on the slopes of a volcano.
    David Bressan, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • The key is its ability to penetrate the skin beyond the surface barrier.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 20 June 2025
  • Professor Holgate added air pollution itself has changed and there is growing evidence to show how smaller pollution particles can penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream.
    Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hollow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hollow. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

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