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 that void steps AI: tidy, responsive, nonjudgmental. —Kelly Monahan, Fortune, 9 July 2025 The New Avengers), David Harbour’s Red Guardian saves a little girl only for the villain to disappear her into a dark void seconds later. —Eliana Dockterman, Time, 25 July 2025
Noun
But back then, Chaotic attempted to fill a void for the millions of people interested in the ongoings of Spears’s life. —Krystie Lee Yandoli, Glamour, 7 Aug. 2025 Most successfully, the series filled the Samantha void with sultry, cigarette-smoking real estate agent Seema Patel (Sarita Choudhury), easily the strongest of the new characters. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
If the Raiders can void those guarantees, Wilkins could be out of the Giants’ price range. —Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 July 2025 Hippler also can’t void the plea deal so that Kohberger could face the death penalty. —Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 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
  • Trump had previously signed an executive order on his first day in office announcing that tax deals agreed upon between the Biden administration and the OECD were null.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
  • 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
Definition of null
Adjective
  • Though cynics might be quick to dismiss the president’s words as empty political rhetoric, some industry leaders are applauding President Trump’s openness in publicly addressing rescheduling.
    — Iris Dorbian, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
  • The day after the crash, the FWC investigators found a stash of empty booze bottles and cans on the boat.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 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
  • Yet regardless of the device or price point, a gap remains in the investment that most companies are making in technology to support remote work for their rank-and-file employees.
    — Melody Brue, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Frank often asks one of his centre-backs to push ahead of the other, which could leave gaps for top opposition to exploit, but Spurs have the athleticism to make up for it in Romero, Van de Ven, and Kevin Danso.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
Definition of gap
Noun
  • One Netherlands international, according to the police, allowed his Porsche to be used by criminals and the car ended up riddled with bullet holes.
    — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Gordon, hitting holes hard with his physical running style, sparked the run game in the second half.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2025
Definition of hole
Verb
  • His lawsuit claims that if fully developed, the area could require as many as 450 parking spaces under the parking minimum requirements the city repealed in 2021 Management for JB Vang couldn’t immediately be reached for comment on Wednesday.
    — Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The bills, the lawmakers said, would repeal the section in the Home Rule Act that allows the President to federalize the city’s police force.
    — Chantelle Lee, Time, 11 Aug. 2025
Definition of repeal
Adjective
  • For example, in the EMEA region, 60% of clicks on programmatic ads within the sports category on mobile apps were invalid in the first quarter of 2025, as were 14% of all mobile app traffic clicks in the region.
    — Roman Vrublivskyi, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
  • If the result is not a multiple of 10, then the credit card number is invalid.
    — Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2025
Definition of invalid
Adjective
  • What might more readily bring about a crisis of identity than the physical alteration of the body, the change from bearer of life to barren woman?
    — Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Most of those barren years came before a current regime that has taken English cricket to new highs of attacking intent.
    — Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 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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