as in to brush
to use a vacuum cleaner on (something) in order to remove dirt
I vacuumed the living room.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in void
a large empty space
the vacuum of outer space The loss of his friend left a vacuum in his life.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 vacuum
Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2026
The main care instructions are to vacuum weekly, avoid direct sunlight, and spot clean with warm water and mild detergent mix.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 22 Jan. 2026
Aria Bendix, NBC news, 15 Feb. 2026
However, instead of being microscopic and embedded in a chip, these valves were incandescent filaments encased in vacuum and glass that were inches long.
—New Atlas, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vacuum
Verb
This is why experts recommend vacuuming in different directions and thoroughly agitating the carpet piles.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2026
The main care instructions are to vacuum weekly, avoid direct sunlight, and spot clean with warm water and mild detergent mix.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
But the agency now faces a growing vacuum in leadership in its top ranks — one that offers the administration a highly unusual opportunity to reshape NIH to its vision.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 15 Feb. 2026
However, instead of being microscopic and embedded in a chip, these valves were incandescent filaments encased in vacuum and glass that were inches long.
—New Atlas, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vacuum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacuum
Verb
-
Allowing people to keep doing some tasks on their own, like brushing their teeth, is critical for keeping their sense of self in the world.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Wash and brush the animals in your house to lessen the amount of allergens in the air.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As data disappears and health recommendations slacken, independent groups are rallying together to fill the public health data and leadership void.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Running back Rico Dowdle was a newcomer this year, filling the void quite nicely after Chuba Hubbard missed some time.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When costumes finally come back after a show’s run, each one is cleaned in a laundry room that sees 60-80 garments come through in a day.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The body is cleaned and prepared in the Muslim tradition, as the family takes one last look before the burial, while hired men recite the Koran.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While deep plane facelifts sweep Hollywood, there’s also a boom in non- and minimally-invasive treatments promising tighter, younger looking skin, sharper contours and a revitalized appearance, without the downtime required after going under the knife.—
Elycia Rubin,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Most notable is the addition of an interchangeable dual-lace wrap, which sweeps from the barely there midsole and finishes with a bow atop the standard shoelaces.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The pollutants diminished over time — absorbed into the landscape and washed into waterways.—
Rachel Becker,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Francis says to wash your vase thoroughly with mild soapy water before adding the stems, and fill it 3/4 of the way full with lukewarm water.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After 15 minutes, dampen a cloth and gently scrub the area.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Soldiers spent days scrubbed in grease, exposed to toxic chemicals, and blistering heat to find a single faulty sensor.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vacuum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacuum. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
