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
Into this relative void steps Paul Thomas Anderson, whose films have been nominated for 28 Academy Awards over the course of his career. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025 As a result, Carrasco is alleging that these contracts should be void. —Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
By carefully curating both its clients and vendors, OS Group has filled a key void in the industry, sourcing bulk product for smaller stores and growing at unprecedented rates. —Riley Jones, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2025 The loss of federal funding leaves a $73 million void in Minnesota's nutritional safety net, and state officials say there isn't enough money to provide Minnesota participants with their November benefits. —The Npr Network, NPR, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
But the league’s decision to place his salary in an interest-bearing account suggests the NBA might wait until the matter is adjudicated before voiding Rozier’s contract. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025 The play takes ample metaphorical advantage of both couch and void. —Daniel D'addario, Variety, 31 Oct. 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
  • Past Future Continuous shifts focus from the act of leaving to the homes and land left behind — places that grow emptier over time.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The 2026 fest will improve upon this system by swapping out all tanks prior to guest arrival, so each system is fresh and empty at the start of the event.
    — Katie Bain, Billboard, 10 Nov. 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
  • Vargas nodded at the nearly deserted river.
    — Daniel Gonzalez, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Except for a few children kicking a ball and some chickens pecking the ground, the village seemed almost deserted.
    — Daniel Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Definition of deserted
Noun
  • Despite being one of three teams to make the playoffs from the NL Central division, the gap between the Cubs and Brewers is sizable.
    — Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The widening gap followed a private equity spending spree in 2021, as firms rushed to deploy unspent funds, with activity also boosted by ultra-low interest rates.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
Definition of gap
Noun
  • The boy jerks his head as if to wake himself, turns around abruptly and looks the other way, even though there’s nothing special to see besides darkness and emptiness, which is where a living eye should never look.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Grogan isn’t alone in feeling the emptiness that can follow a massive milestone.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
Definition of emptiness
Noun
  • The Dodgers could add Tucker to fill the massive hole in their outfield.
    — Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The HLSLongsleeve base layer features integrated thumb holes and an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating of at least 40.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of hole
Verb
  • The courthouse is named after Osvaldo Soto, a Cuban-American lawyer who led the fight in the 1980s to repeal the county’s English-only ordinance that, among other things, stopped clerks from conducting courthouse weddings in Spanish.
    — Douglas Hanks November 10, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The Boise City Council plans to repeal the city ordinance that allows a disorderly conduct misdemeanor charge for loitering on private property, according to a settlement agreement obtained by the Idaho Statesman.
    — Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 10 Nov. 2025
Definition of repeal
Adjective
  • If the court rules that the indictment or appointment is invalid, prosecutors may be barred from refiling because the statute of limitations has expired.
    — Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Robinson rejected Towers’ arguments that the settlements were invalid due to mutual mistake or missing formal signatures.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 31 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 12 Nov. 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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