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
Assuming Schoen continues his practice of not adding void years, the Giants could create $15.7 million in cap space with a max restructure of Burns’ contract, which runs through 2028. —Dan Duggan, New York Times, 21 May 2025 Their current rotation is Zach Eflin, Dean Kremer, Cade Povich, Sugano, and the void Gibson left behind. —Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Noun
Marcelo Mayer stepped into the void left at third base when Alex Bregman went down with a quad injury, making his major league debut, and has hit .222, with an OBP of less than .300. —Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025 Deep in the voids, however, dark energy takes over. —Paul Sutter, Space.com, 6 June 2025
Verb
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images How Markets Reacted While the CIT's decision potentially voided the majority of Trump's trade measures, markets reacted modestly to the news. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025 Update: Just after 3 p.m. Thursday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a brief order granting the Trump administration's request to pause an earlier ruling that voided several of the president's tariffs. —Rob Wile, NBC news, 29 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
  • 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
  • Gloria and Emilio Estefan’s team also provided information that could render these accusations null.
    — Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of null
Adjective
  • Taking time off and regaining your drive for the mission could be the difference between running on empty forever and coming back stronger.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
  • Normally bustling with tourists and downtown office workers, the historic food hall was nearly empty this week.
    — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 13 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
  • So that would be my biggest concern, is whether or not that financial gap between those that can afford it and those that can’t creates way too many haves and way too many have-nots.
    — Mitch Light, New York Times, 16 June 2025
  • Your People Strategy Is A Core Strategy Labor gaps remain a real constraint, especially in skilled trades and tech-adjacent roles.
    — Eddy Azad, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Definition of gap
Noun
  • The venue’s sixth hole is a demanding 574 yards, though the back nine eases up with two par-3 offerings.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 18 June 2025
  • On Sunday, Spaun became the first golfer in U.S. Open history to win the tournament despite playing three consecutive holes over par in the final round.
    — Don Yaeger, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Definition of hole
Verb
  • The bill would repeal a 2018 law that wiped out a public access ordinance in the Panhandle’s Walton County.
    — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2025
  • By seeking to repeal the carbon rules with no replacement, the administration’s proposal is more sweeping than the power plant regulations finalized during Trump’s first term, Carrie Jenks, the executive director of Harvard Law School’s Environmental & Energy Law Program, told CNN.
    — Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 11 June 2025
Definition of repeal
Adjective
  • But there’s a risk to competing with an invalid NIL deal, because the schools are arming the CSC with enforcement authority.
    — Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 10 June 2025
  • That some of the claims of the key EPC patents were invalid and should never have been granted in the first place.
    — Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 4 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

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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 25 Jun. 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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