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as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily a movie that was enthusiastically derided for its vacuous dialogue

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective vacuous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vacuous are blank, empty, vacant, and void. While all these words mean "lacking contents which could or should be present," 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 blank instead of vacuous?

In some situations, the words blank and vacuous are roughly equivalent. However, blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface.

a blank wall

In what contexts can empty take the place of vacuous?

The meanings of empty and vacuous largely overlap; however, empty suggests a complete absence of contents.

an empty bucket

Where would vacant be a reasonable alternative to vacuous?

The words vacant and vacuous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants.

a vacant apartment

When would void be a good substitute for vacuous?

The synonyms void and vacuous are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 vacuous The mainstream consensus solidified: The robbery was karma, comeuppance, a corrective to all that vacuous extravagance and clueless exhibitionism. Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 19 May 2025 Travis is one of the most vacuous stars the major labels have ever produced, a machine for turning the work of more interesting rappers into garbled playlist slop. Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 14 Apr. 2025 But in the age of vacuous content, sketchy White lucks into camp, turning ’90s character actresses Jennifer Coolidge and Parker Posey into gay icons, both good actresses reduced to doing misogynistic drag acts. Armond White, National Review, 9 Apr. 2025 There have been headline-grabbing declarations about AI on a nation-state level that often were vacuous. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vacuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacuous
Adjective
  • Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.
    Michael Abbott, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Delle, devoid for so long from its intrinsic need for social interaction might be filling in the gaps by talking to himself.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 14 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.
    Daniel Jackson, Allure, 18 July 2017
  • Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.
    Andy Benoit, The MMQB, 10 July 2017
Adjective
  • The notion Tehran was sprinting toward a nuclear bomb is an empty talking point.
    Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • Twelve refill capsules are also included, as well as a prepaid shipping box to send the empty ones back.
    Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • Mexican men were dismissed as violent Panchos and stupid Pedros.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
  • There’s more stupid romance around harder substances but few chemicals are more hazardous to ambition than THC.
    Benjamin Hale June 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Work and plans are changing what was once a barren landscape into a new neighborhood.
    Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025
  • As the moon progresses through the different phases of the lunar calendar, the sun's light throws new impact sites, barren plains, and swathes of broken landscapes into relief as prime targets for amateur astronomers wielding binoculars and backyard telescopes.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • Repeated waxing weakens follicles, making hair grow in finer and slower over time.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 23 June 2025
  • And then there is a style that believes reading should mimic the obstruction and slow struggle of writing.
    Benjamin Hale June 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • The simplest ideas in mathematics can also be the most perplexing.
    Leila Sloman, Wired News, 29 June 2025
  • When the drink is this simple, there’s nowhere for sub-par ingredients to hide.
    Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • Lots of Rules, Lots of Cash Rules governing property and building codes are thick and can be incomprehensible to most homeowners.
    Andrew Wimer, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Still the aftertaste of raspberry filling clings to her soft palate, as thick and heady and floral as menstrual blood.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vacuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacuous. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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