VACANT Synonyms: 185 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'vacant' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vacant are blank , empty , vacuous , and void . While all these words mean "lacking contents which could or should be present," vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants. // a vacant apartment

Q: When can 'blank' be used instead of 'vacant'?

While in some cases nearly identical to vacant , blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface. // a blank wall

Q: When would 'empty' be a good substitute for 'vacant'?

In some situations, the words empty and vacant are roughly equivalent. However, empty suggests a complete absence of contents. // an empty bucket

Q: When is 'vacuous' a more appropriate choice than 'vacant'?

While the synonyms vacuous and vacant are close in meaning, vacuous suggests the emptiness of a vacuum and especially the lack of intelligence or significance. // a vacuous facial expression

Q: When is it sensible to use 'void' instead of 'vacant'?

The words void and vacant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, void suggests absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine. // a statement void of meaning

vacant

adjective

ˈvā-kənt

Definition of vacant

as in empty

lacking contents that could or should be present a vacant room that could be converted into a classroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dormant

not being in a state of use, activity, or employment looking for vacant land on which to build a house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in blank

not expressing any emotion the prisoner's vacant and distracted expression

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in deserted

left unoccupied or unused police discovered that vagrants had been sleeping in the vacant warehouse

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective vacant contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vacant are blank, empty, vacuous, and void. While all these words mean "lacking contents which could or should be present," vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants.

a vacant apartment

When can blank be used instead of vacant?

While in some cases nearly identical to vacant, blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface.

a blank wall

When would empty be a good substitute for vacant?

In some situations, the words empty and vacant are roughly equivalent. However, empty suggests a complete absence of contents.

an empty bucket

When is vacuous a more appropriate choice than vacant?

While the synonyms vacuous and vacant are close in meaning, vacuous suggests the emptiness of a vacuum and especially the lack of intelligence or significance.

a vacuous facial expression

When is it sensible to use void instead of vacant?

The words void and vacant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, void suggests absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine.

a statement void of meaning

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 vacant After shuttering some five decades later, the land was largely vacant until the former mayor of Seattle, Paul Schell, and his wife, Pam, built their dream hotel from the ground up. — Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026 In a region where the demand for housing outpaces its supply, a pack of coyotes have made a vacant construction site their home. — N. Kirkpatrick, Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2026 With the Pole having joined the Chicago Fire this summer on a free transfer following four highly successful years in Catalonia, the jersey donned by greats such as Luis Suarez, Samuel Eto’o and Ronaldo Nazario is vacant. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Having recently arrived in the city to start a new job, Mario prowls around the nearly vacant urban landscape, seemingly looking for someone to talk to but finding only a stray dog. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vacant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacant

Adjective

Lush green grass isn’t possible in all areas of your yard, which is why groundcovers come in handy to fill in those empty spaces.

— Mallory Carra, The Spruce, 3 Aug. 2026
More likely, the milk, eggs and seafood aisles will go empty in a hurry.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of empty

Adjective

Her team has dug up living anthrax samples that may have been dormant for 80 years in previous research.

— RJ Mackenzie, Popular Science, 5 Aug. 2026
If your crepe myrtles aren’t receiving enough light, transplant them to a new growing location when the plants are dormant in winter.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of dormant

Adjective

As long a there’s a full-serve station within a mile or two, in the middle of the night, your car will wander off down deserted streets at low speed, and fill up.

— Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Sparkly, semiattired Lolla kids are this weekend swarming around such oft-deserted environs as Van Buren Street, Jackson Boulevard and State Street.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of deserted

Adjective

Here, the two twin in camel coats in an off-duty moment at Paris Fashion Week 2022.

— Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026
With a number of off days on the upcoming schedule and five healthy starters already in their rotation, the Yankees should be able to make that strategy work without taxing their bullpen.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of off

Adjective

In 1984, the museum presented 48 of her works at a disused brick gas station on the grounds of the Temporary Contemporary.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 28 July 2026
The planes were carrying Israeli commandos to a disused airport-terminal building in Uganda, on the shores of Lake Victoria.

— Anne Neuberger, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026

Definition of disused

Adjective

John Mozeliak just had the best day by an Angels front-office member in about a decade, replenishing a barren farm system with nine prospects after a handful of trades.

— Levi Weaver, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Sprawling acres of largely barren farmland, still owned by the sugarcane plantations that dominated the islands’ economy for a century, line the side of the highway here, gently sloping toward the craggy green cliffs of the Waimea Canyon.

— Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of barren

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vacancy

vacant

vacantness

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“Vacant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacant. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of vacant

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