void 1 of 3

adjective

ˈvȯid How to pronounce void (audio)
Definition of voidnext
1
as in null
having no legal or binding force an agreement is void if obtained by force

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2
as in empty
lacking contents that could or should be present a nuclear explosion that would leave the landscape as void and lifeless as one could imagine

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3
as in devoid
utterly lacking in something needed, wanted, or expected entirely void of common sense

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4
as in deserted
left unoccupied or unused the cornfields lay void under a blanket of snow

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void

2 of 3

noun

1
as in gap
an incomplete or deficient area a repressed memory that left a huge void in her recollection of her adolescent years

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2
as in emptiness
empty space those ancient travelers who traversed those vast watery voids between the islands of Oceania

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3
as in hole
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge) the client wanted an old-fashioned stone wall and did not want the voids filled in with mortar

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void

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to repeal
to put an end to by formal action the court's decision voided the will the cashier voided the sale when the customer realized his wallet was at home

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2
as in to empty
to remove the contents of the seller has promised to void the house of all furniture

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective void contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of void are blank, empty, vacant, and vacuous. While all these words mean "lacking contents which could or should be present," void suggests absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine.

a statement void of meaning

When is it sensible to use blank instead of void?

The words blank and void are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface.

a blank wall

When might empty be a better fit than void?

The synonyms empty and void are sometimes interchangeable, but empty suggests a complete absence of contents.

an empty bucket

When can vacant be used instead of void?

In some situations, the words vacant and void are roughly equivalent. However, vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants.

a vacant apartment

In what contexts can vacuous take the place of void?

Although the words vacuous and void have much in common, vacuous suggests the emptiness of a vacuum and especially the lack of intelligence or significance.

a vacuous facial expression

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 void
Adjective
In his appeal though, obtained by PEOPLE, Guobadia argued that their November 2022 prenup was void because Williams allegedly misrepresented herself during negotiations by not disclosing her plans to return to RHOA. —Dave Quinn, People.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Ballentine has experience at gunner, where the Patriots have a void opposite Brenden Schooler. —Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
The decay of these objects reflects the void left by capital extraction. —Edna Bonhomme, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025 This void gave both writers and actor room to find the man within the killer. —Daniel D'addario, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
But the same can’t be said for others in his circle, voiding the win. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025 If the San Mateo County model stands, other counties could adopt the same framework, granting supervisors power to void election results mid-term whenever politically useful. —Matthew J. Frauenfeld, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for void
Recent Examples of Synonyms for void
  1. empty
  2. devoid
  3. deserted
  4. gap
  5. emptiness
  6. hole
  7. repeal
  8. invalid
Adjective
  • On third-and-9, the Cowboys came out in empty formation with running back Javonte Williams split out wide next to George Pickens.
    — Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • This area was mostly empty at the beginning, but the monstrous sounds of the race cars firing up their engines drew a lot of attention.
    — Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Definition of empty
Adjective
  • Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.
    — Michael Abbott, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • That devoid ingredient hindered things exponentially.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 Feb. 2024
Definition of devoid
Adjective
  • Where to stay Set along an 11-mile stretch of deserted beach on Sardinia’s rugged Costa Verde, Le Dune Piscinas is framed by Europe’s tallest sand dunes, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    — Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Today, the incredible deserted ruins of this once-powerful city, perched like a fortified eagle’s nest high in the mountains of southwestern Turkey, can be conquered by anyone willing to make the hike up here.
    — Barry Neild, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
Definition of deserted
Noun
  • To bring it to the next level, his team aims to collaborate with clinical physicians, comparing the diagnosis outputs from machine-learning models and human doctors to identify the differences and performance gaps.
    — Eve Lu, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Although research from the Pew Research Center finds that the gender pay gap has narrowed in the last decade, women still earn 85% of the wages men do.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 8 Oct. 2025
Definition of gap
Noun
  • The persistent emptiness of what might have been.
    — Aisha Muharrar, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Oct. 2025
  • That’s because Horton’s emptiness is felt downtown wide.
    — Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
Definition of emptiness
Noun
  • If the goal is a lineup with as few holes as possible, the Hurricanes do so more emphatically than any other team in the league.
    — The Athletic NHL, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The wire makes digging up the bulbs more difficult, but allows the foliage to easily grow through the wire holes.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
Definition of hole
Verb
  • Democrats are also hoping to repeal cuts to health care programs that were put in place as part of the GOP spending and tax bill that passed over the summer.
    — The NPR Network, NPR, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Nevertheless, Ashley and Locke did not want the HALT Act to be repealed.
    — Jennifer Gonnerman, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Definition of repeal
Adjective
  • China did not take part in the arbitral proceedings and maintains the tribunal’s decision is invalid.
    — Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Permits are invalid unless they are accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection from an accredited veterinarian indicating that the animal is free of disease.
    — Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Definition of invalid

Phrases Containing void

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voicing
void
voidance
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Cite this Entry

“Void.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/void. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on void

Nglish: Translation of void for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about void

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