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
However, the void years tacked onto it made Smith difficult to keep around, and the Lions ultimately parted ways. —Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 For the first time in its 157-year history, the Grand National steeplechase is declared void because of a false start. —Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
Balloons are one of the biggest voids left by Party City’s closure. —Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025 Beckett had this kind of really incredible understanding of the human mind in terms of feeling the void. —Dave Quinn, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
The Dolphins have a real veteran leadership void right now with the retirement of Terron Armstead, the departure of Calais Campbell and the continuing flagrant immaturity of Hill. —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025 Some seek to void existing NDAs and outlaw future ones, allowing victims past and present to disclose what happened and who was responsible. —David W. Chen, New York Times, 8 Apr. 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
  • Numerous state legislatures, heavily lobbied by commercial industries, have preempted or challenged Rights of Nature laws, rendering them null, void, and wholly unenforceable.
    — India Nye Wenner, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2025
  • To reporters late Sunday evening and later on social media, Trump claimed the pardons are null because Biden had used an autopen rather than sign by hand.
    — Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of null
Adjective
  • Streets that typically buzzed with life were empty.
    — Christina Ray Stanton, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Related article Trump was warned of empty shelves and financial turmoil from tariffs and firing Powell.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 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
  • Next-Gen Anti-Ransomware Protection—Preemptive And Resilient Security Despite AV and EDR advancements, modern ransomware tactics—including encryption bypass and stealthy execution—continue to exploit gaps in endpoint defenses.
    — Bob Kruse, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Assuming that the two indices continued to diverge by the current rate, the gap would only grow.
    — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Definition of gap
Noun
  • One obstacle the Bengals face in their quest for postseason play, however, is the outbreak of injuries that started in spring training and have created a significant hole in their offense.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Apr. 2025
  • One interesting depiction of the Last Supper was found above a German coat of arms, which depicted a goblet, a platter, and a round piece of bread with a hole in it, similar to a Jerusalem bagel.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of hole
Verb
  • The question is whether the Trump administration is entitled to repeal a rule that was upheld specifically by the Supreme Court and therefore subject to precedent, said Patrick Parenteau, an emeritus professor at the Vermont Law and Graduate School who has handled endangered species cases.
    — Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2025
  • In the last two weeks, Trump issued an executive order directing agencies to sunset every existing energy regulation by next year and, in a separate memorandum, said those agencies may repeal certain regulations without allowing the public to weigh in.
    — Nichola Groom and Valerie Volcovici, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of repeal
Adjective
  • Walgreens then allegedly submitted reimbursement claims to several different federal healthcare programs, including Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE, for prescriptions that were invalid or not medically necessary and were not eligible for reimbursement, according to the agreement.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Walgreens pharmacists ignored red flags that the prescriptions were invalid or lacked a medical purpose, the complaint said.
    — Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of invalid
Adjective
  • So, why would an elite striker commit to two potentially barren years?
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The project’s fertilizer by-product will support farmers and transform barren land into fertile farmland, according to Prasad.
    — Ian Sayson, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of barren

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 4 May. 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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