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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 This year alone, the Kansas City Fire Department has put out 24 fires in the vacant, dilapidated complex. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 So park owners regularly allow new trailers to move into the vacant spots. — Ren Larson, ProPublica, 2 Sep. 2026 Per the current listing, the site is now vacant and shovel-ready for building out a seven-bedroom, seven-plus-bath behemoth, all connected by a private elevator. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 31 Aug. 2026 The city is piloting a blockchain project for its roughly 14,000 vacant properties, creating a secure, searchable record of ownership that can reduce titling costs and move homes into redevelopment and productive use. — Michael Faulkender, Baltimore Sun, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vacant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacant

Adjective

On the day Hoosier fans celebrated last year’s 2025 national championship run inside Memorial Stadium, the stands grew increasingly empty as the season-opener against North Texas wore on.

— Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
That would make the construction of small apartment or condo buildings less expensive, helping developers fill Chicago’s empty lots with units that are also affordable, said Ald.

— Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of empty

Adjective

Most of the money is from dormant accounts in financial institutions, insurance and utility companies, and securities and trust holdings, according to the Florida Department of Financial Services.

— Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
Fried adds that bare-root plants are typically shipped or sold wrapped in moist sawdust during their dormant seasons in the spring or fall to ensure optimal planting outcomes.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of dormant

Adjective

The streets are deserted, the glow of the floodlights on the wreckage fade behind him.

— Jeff Goodell, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
There’s even a nod to 28 Days Later, with Zeta-Jones hobbling across a deserted Westminster Bridge in London wearing blue hospital scrubs, just like Cillian Murphy’s Jim in the 2002 horror movie.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of deserted

Adjective

The New York Knicks star is launching a new firm with members of his family that will manage his off-court business while also representing other clients from the world of sports and business.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
Weiss’ overhaul of the show interrupted a critical off-season period when correspondents typically try to file and finish a segment for the fall.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of off

Adjective

At least 14 artisanal miners are dead and scores are injured at a disused mine in South Africa, police said Tuesday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Motion opened the gallery in Kings Cross in a disused betting parlor next door to a kebab shop in 2016 while also holding down a day job.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of disused

Browse Nearby Words

vacancy

vacant

vacantness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Vacant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacant. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of vacant

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

churlish

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes