Synonyms of vacant

vacant

adjective

ˈvā-kənt 

1

as in empty

lacking contents that could or should be present

a vacant room that could be converted into a classroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

• empty
• devoid
• barren
• blank
• void
• vacuous
• clean
• drained
• bare
• emptied
• stark
• unoccupied
• hollow
• open
• deserted
• toom
• uninhabited
• vacated
• unfilled
• available
• depleted
• free
• unfurnished
• unattended
• clear
• dry
• abandoned
• forsaken
• exhausted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• full
• complete
• occupied
• provided
• filled
• replete
• furnished
• supplied
• packed
• overflowing
• flush
• teeming

2

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

• dormant
• off
• unused
• idle
• dead
• inactive
• fallow
• inert
• latent
• inoperative
• at rest
• out of commission
• free
• on the shelf
• unoccupied
• suspended
• useless
• unusable
• asleep
• arrested
• interrupted
• lifeless
• comatose
• moribund
• quiescent
• slow
• sleepy
• unworkable
• abeyant
• inoperable
• dull

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• active
• operating
• busy
• employed
• functioning
• operative
• on
• working
• living
• alive
• functional
• operational
• going
• workable
• running
• operable
• viable
• useful
• industrious
• practical
• energetic
• feasible
• vigorous
• usable
• assiduous
• useable
• sedulous

3

as in blank

not expressing any emotion

the prisoner's vacant and distracted expression

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blank
• empty
• motionless
• expressionless
• catatonic
• enigmatic
• stolid
• dull
• numb
• impassive
• enigmatical
• vague
• inexpressive
• detached
• restrained
• deadpan
• wooden
• mysterious
• static
• reserved
• vacuous
• vapid
• still
• inscrutable
• cold
• cool
• impenetrable
• unresponsive
• aloof
• apathetic
• indifferent
• phlegmatic
• reticent
• taciturn

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• engaged
• active
• interested
• expressive
• busy
• dynamic
• responsive
• demonstrative
• bright
• expansive
• lively
• energetic
• alive
• animated
• effervescent
• vivacious
• exuberant
• eloquent
• revealing
• revelatory
• unreserved
• emotional
• theatrical
• unrestrained
• gestural
• melodramatic
• gestic
• gesticulative
• gesticulatory
• gesticulant
• theatric

4

as in deserted

left unoccupied or unused

police discovered that vagrants had been sleeping in the vacant warehouse

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deserted
• disused
• abandoned
• vacated
• derelict
• desolate
• rejected
• void
• forgotten
• empty
• forsaken
• discarded
• neglected
• ignored
• unattended
• untended
• junked
• waste
• shabby
• idle
• refuse
• miserable
• cast-off
• godforsaken
• jettisoned
• wretched
• castaway

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reclaimed
• recovered
• saved
• redeemed
• salvaged
• restored
• retrieved
• reconditioned
• rehabilitated
• rescued
• rehabbed
• repeopled

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

Recent Examples of vacant

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the move as a necessary step to eliminate redundancy and improve efficiency, saying some positions were already vacant or scheduled for retirement. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025

Two or more of the top positions are vacant at weather service offices overseeing parts of Oregon and California, Texas, Ohio and Kentucky, all of which lie within flash flood hotspots. —Hiroko Tabuchi, New York Times, 11 July 2025

Among those victims is a 16-year-old boy who was found dead in a vacant house in Boynton Beach last month, shot in his head. —Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2025

At least six Jersey City firefighters were injured early Thursday morning in a massive blaze that also destroyed two vacant houses. —David Matthews, New York Daily News, 10 July 2025