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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
This setup lets responders see and map hidden void spaces without entering dangerous areas themselves. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2025 Water the plant to saturation after installing, and then check again for void pockets. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
Entrepreneurs who hit a major milestone often experience an emotional void. —Sara Khaki, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 His death, nearly 30 years ago, left an immeasurable void. —Okla Jones, Essence, 15 June 2025
Verb
It’s been a tumultuous period in Romanian politics since last year’s presidential election was voided by the high court over allegations of Russian tampering in favor of right-wing populist Calin Georgescu. —Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 19 May 2025 The surface isn't food-safe; any sauce would void the warranty and potentially poison you. —John Werner, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for void
Recent Examples of Synonyms for void
  1. null
  2. empty
  3. devoid
  4. gap
  5. hole
  6. repeal
  7. invalid
  8. barren
Adjective
  • Even basic tasks, like knowing the password to a legacy system or understanding why a data table has null values, can be governed by undocumented decisions made years ago.
    — Kevin Novak, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Null and Void The first major point of controversy involves something called the null energy condition, under which—among other things—energy can’t propagate faster than light.
    — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2025
Definition of null
Adjective
  • Lawmakers argue that local economies, such as small businesses in downtown areas, suffer when federal offices remain empty.
    — Gleb Tsipursky, Time, 25 June 2025
  • Always empty or cover the pool when not in use to prevent accidents and mosquito breeding.
    — Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 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
  • 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
Definition of devoid
Noun
  • The larger the gaps, the faster the sucker will lose its grip.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 June 2025
  • The gap between the two has never been as narrow – at least where security is concerned.
    — Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Definition of gap
Noun
  • Now that hole is being filled with full service, amenitized buildings and a public park along the two mile canal.
    — Shimon Shkury, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Fuller was then released in February, and the Dolphins still have a major hole for starting-caliber cornerbacks ahead of nickel Kader Kohou after the draft.
    — David Furones, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Definition of hole
Verb
  • Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Tuesday that promises to reopen Panhandle beaches to the public, repealing a 2018 state law that allowed beachfront property owners to close off miles of local shoreline to residents.
    — Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • The Legislature previously swatted two attempts earlier this year to repeal that law and ban trans girls from sports.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025
Definition of repeal
Adjective
  • Beijing chose not to participate in the proceedings and maintains that the award was politically motivated and invalid.
    — Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
  • The bills were sent to their home after bouncing back from a Colleyville company with an address that was either invalid or fictional.
    — Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2025
Definition of invalid
Adjective
  • Richards’ finish saved the U.S. in what was otherwise a listless appearance in front of a barren home crowd at Austin FC’s Q2 Stadium.
    — Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 20 June 2025
  • Transatlantic flights from northern Europe — London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Copenhagen — routinely cross the southern half of the island, the bright, barren ice sheet often visible for up to an hour of cruising speed.
    — Morten Høi Jensen, The Dial, 19 June 2025
Definition of barren

Phrases Containing void

Browse Nearby Words

voicing
void
voidance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Void.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/void. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on void

Nglish: Translation of void for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about void

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Should that word have a hyphen?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Popular

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
illustration of alice and tweedledee and tweedledum
Guess the Literary Image We show you the art, you guess the literary work....
See All