blank 1 of 3

1
2
3

blank

2 of 3

noun

1
as in form
a piece of paper with information written or to be written on it handed him an employment blank to fill out

Synonyms & Similar Words

2

blank

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective blank contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of blank are empty, vacant, vacuous, and void. While all these words mean "lacking contents which could or should be present," blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface.

a blank wall

When could empty be used to replace blank?

Although the words empty and blank have much in common, empty suggests a complete absence of contents.

an empty bucket

When can vacant be used instead of blank?

In some situations, the words vacant and blank are roughly equivalent. However, vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants.

a vacant apartment

Where would vacuous be a reasonable alternative to blank?

The words vacuous and blank are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vacuous suggests the emptiness of a vacuum and especially the lack of intelligence or significance.

a vacuous facial expression

When would void be a good substitute for blank?

The meanings of void and blank largely overlap; however, void suggests absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine.

a statement void of meaning

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 blank
Adjective
Those earnings calls will be must-listen events because management will likely be asked point blank what DeepSeek means to their AI investments. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2025 Joshua, a freshman studying computer science at Northeastern, wore a scarlet school hoodie in front of a blank whiteboard on campus. Dan Greene, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
Noun
But when your grandfather was president of the United States, history fills in the blanks. Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025 Running backs coach Anthony Lynn, Ekeler’s head coach with the Chargers, filled in some blanks about the 5-foot-9, strong-willed player. Ben Standig, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
Xavier Landrum ran for 181 yards and two touchdowns on five carries as Tech Boston blanked East Boston, 48-0. Jack Showstead ran for 125 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries as Natick (7-1) defeated Milton 31-21 in the Bay State Conference. Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 2 Nov. 2024 Sale struck out nine over seven innings as Atlanta blanked Colorado 3-0 at Truist Park. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 3 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for blank 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blank
Adjective
  • But that Fiennes mantle is as empty as St. Peter’s Square in a thunderstorm.
    Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2025
  • The food safety manager certificate was not available and paper towel dispensers near two hand sinks were empty.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • The medication has hallucinogenic effects that alter the perception of sight and sound and cause users to feel devoid from pain and out of control of their surroundings.
    Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2023
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Disney’s complete buyout of Comcast’s one-third stake in Hulu is still pending.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025
  • So Far Swift’s famous friends joined her in the VIP suite No Swift appearance at a Chiefs game is complete without some pals.
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 5 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • These programs are especially complex to implement, since some form of oversight is needed to make sure families are spending the money in ways that comply with the rules.
    Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 30 Jan. 2025
  • But if the Sky want a more surefire option on the perimeter, that might have to come through a trade — and at the moment, the front office doesn’t have many tradable assets in the form of players.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But former Twitter employees say Musk sees laws, regulations and procedures as unnecessary speed bumps meant to be ignored.
    Clare Duffy, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Populism ignores very real and differentiated social problems and cuts across them with a fictive target, a target that simultaneously satisfies all, and none, of these problems.
    Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Her council seat would become vacant and filled by appointment, requiring the vote of at least four council members within 30 days.
    Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2025
  • The vacant site owned by Wellstar suddenly became a lucrative opportunity for developers looking to cash in on its prime location in the booming Old Fourth Ward neighborhood.
    Kristal Dixon, Axios, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Renowned photographer Ryszard Horowitz was born on May 5th, 1939, to a loving family in the historic city of Kraków, the former capital of Poland, but just four months later Nazi Germany invaded Poland, resulting in utter devastation.
    Danuta Hamlin, Fox News, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The Nova music festival saw dozens kidnapped and killed by Hamas and was the site of utter devastation on that day more than 15 months ago.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • With the help of Rosie’s granddaughter Andrea and Frank Amidei’s daughter Margie, I was delivered Rosie’s handwritten copy of her homemade potato soup recipe dated on the lined notebook paper as transcribed in 2002.
    Phil Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
  • He’s worked at the paper for nearly 20 years, covering real estate, tourism and the economy before joining the Metro desk in 2014.
    Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near blank

Cite this Entry

“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on blank

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!