VACANTLY 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

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 In Kentucky, McConnell is set to retire at the end of this term, and a race is underway to fill his vacant seat in November. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026 With Goncalo Ramos joining AC Milan from the back-to-back Champions League holders, there is a vacant striker’s spot with Luis Enrique possibly convincing Ferran to follow Dro Fernandez’s lead and swap FC Barcelona for PSG. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 Merrywood was their family home from 1976 until their mother died last year and now sits vacant. — Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2026 This leaves all four seats on the EAC vacant ahead of the midterms. — Connor Greene, Time, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for vacant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacant

Adjective

As with most malls in the United States, its final years were marked by just a tiny trickle of shoppers who had to pass empty storefronts to reach the few remaining open businesses.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
The 80,000-capacity New York New Jersey stadium was packed with few empty seats in the sea of red and white and blue at the final matchup of Spain versus Argentina.

— Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 19 July 2026

Definition of empty

Adjective

For the better part of a decade, the feud lay relatively dormant.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026
Aim to water aloe vera about every two to three weeks during summer months and once a month or less when the plant is dormant in winter.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 July 2026

Definition of dormant

Adjective

Although the primary palette used in its design is black and white, the logo is a blank canvas that frequently gets represented in different colors or patterns to match trending London conversations or events, much like Google Doodles.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 July 2026
Ying’s Brentwood hotel room was searched by law enforcement officers, who found that blank manuscripts that were in the style of those missing from UCLA, prosecutors said.

— Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

Definition of blank

Adjective

Patty was never seen again because, prosecutors say, Sochor raped and killed her at the side of a deserted road.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
Once all but deserted, the town experienced a revival in 1965, when artists and musicians began to flock there after encouragement from the Yugoslav government.

— Tia Lovisa Moreira, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026

Definition of deserted

Adjective

For the dozens of NHL, minor league and college players who make their off-season homes in Minnesota, informal morning skates at various arenas throughout the Twin Cities have been going on for decades.

— Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 17 July 2026
In May, the Braves have four off days and just two road trips, one to Philadelphia and Detroit followed by another to Kansas City and to New York to face the Mets.

— Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 16 July 2026

Definition of off

Adjective

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
In December last year, fashion designer Matthieu Blazy debuted his first Métiers d’Art collection for Chanel against the backdrop of a vintage train, which pulled into a disused subway station in downtown Manhattan.

— Emmanuel Olunkwa, Architectural Digest, 1 July 2026

Definition of disused

Adjective

The Eye network served as lead broadcaster for the VMAs this year — stripping an already barren MTV of its flagship event.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 July 2026
Wild Orchard Farmstead on Jeju Island exemplifies regenerative organic agriculture, transforming barren land over 25 years into a thriving tea ecosystem.

— Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 8 July 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 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of vacant

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