as in to brush
to use a vacuum cleaner on (something) in order to remove dirt
I vacuumed the living room.
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as in void
a large empty space
the vacuum of outer space The loss of his friend left a vacuum in his life.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vacuum
Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 16 Jan. 2026
The vacuum is powered by a battery that’s detachable for easy charging and offers a total runtime of up to 45 minutes in eco mode — plenty of time to vacuum several rooms in one fell swoop.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Tom’s company is responsible for renting out and maintaining those toilets, including weekly cleanings, restocking supplies and emptying up to 60 gallons of waste from each unit with one of Bay Area Sanitation’s 12 vacuum pumper trucks.
—Tom Huddleston Jr.
mickey Todiwala, CNBC, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vacuum
Verb
Even decorative throw pillows can be freshened by vacuuming away dust and cleaning the covers.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 16 Jan. 2026
The vacuum is powered by a battery that’s detachable for easy charging and offers a total runtime of up to 45 minutes in eco mode — plenty of time to vacuum several rooms in one fell swoop.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
Populists fill institutional vacuums faster than institutions can respond.
—Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Tom’s company is responsible for renting out and maintaining those toilets, including weekly cleanings, restocking supplies and emptying up to 60 gallons of waste from each unit with one of Bay Area Sanitation’s 12 vacuum pumper trucks.
—Tom Huddleston Jr.
mickey Todiwala, CNBC, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vacuum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacuum
Verb
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Broil, brushing with remaining sauce in pan halfway through, until salmon is cooked through and sauce is heavily blistered, 12–14 minutes, depending on thickness of fillet.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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Testing the powder on rats fed a high-sugar diet, the team found that brushing with BSCT for just one minute a day was enough to restore the rats' oral microbiome, reduce inflammation, and kill the bacteria that causes periodontitis.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Regina stood in front of the window overlooking the void that plunged down to the courtyard below, beyond the balcony railing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
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The project, announced Thursday, will transform the 13,000-square-foot downtown structure into a mid-sized venue aimed at filling what Dobson says is a significant void between small clubs and large arenas in the region.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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An Indian farmer cleans solar panels on his land, used to power a water pump and irrigation system for crops in Solawata, Rajasthan, India.—
Gaurav Sharma,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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The school’s labyrinth of ducts and pipes making up the HVAC system was also thoroughly cleaned.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Celebrini, Smith and Collin Graf combined for six points as the Sharks swept their season series with the Rangers.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
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Despite a subtropical climate, rainfall is limited, freshwater resources are scarce and Atlantic trade winds regularly sweep across the islands carrying salt and humidity.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In a contemplative trailer announcing the news, the artist is seen washing his truck and eating solo at a restaurant.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
28 Jan. 2026
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Few ripples washed through Wall Street Wednesday after the Federal Reserve decided to hold its main interest rate steady, just like investors expected.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The next day, the neighbor saw that same man scrubbing the steps.—
Mike Hellgren,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
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Sanaii and Akila were recognized for intervening during a fight on a school bus, and Meredith took pride in her school and rallied a group of girls to scrub graffiti off a wall.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vacuum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacuum. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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