blank 1 of 3

Definition of blanknext
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
At noon each day, a cannon placed on the Janiculum Hill fires a blank shot in unison with the ringing bells of Rome’s churches. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026 Court documents show Shadbar, who is white, yelled several derogatory racist and sexist slurs at his neighbors and had regularly harassed the family, including firing blank rounds toward Robertson’s home and throwing an M-80 type of firework over the fence into her yard. Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
Is it reduced to yet another fill-in-the-blank preliminary to a national title game in some super-duper-they-look-alike stadium? Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026 Local Aboriginal people are being trained to help monitor the fish so that when the scientists leave, their work will help fill in the blanks about the Bloomfield Cod. Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
Verb
However, the defenses adjusted in the second half — one better than the other — and the Chargers blanked the Cowboys’ offense over the final 30 minutes for the win. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Dec. 2025 And Shapiro gets blanked from nomination, or if he gets nominated and does not win, there’s always the classic right-wing grievance play: casting the whole affair as more proof of Hollywood’s continued antagonism toward conservatives. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blank
Adjective
  • An empty mount later seen attached to the doorframe appears to match one designed for a Google product.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
  • As malls have closed because of shifting consumer shopping habits and a desire for more lucrative development opportunities, the expansive empty buildings have taken on a new draw as a kind of postapocalyptic wasteland, much to the chagrin of local officials.
    Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
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
Adjective
  • Jesse Minter’s first Baltimore Ravens coaching staff is not complete.
    Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • As vehicles become increasingly software-defined and electrified, EMB systems are emerging as a cornerstone of next-generation braking, widely viewed by engineers as one of the most advanced and complete solutions for how cars should stop.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The lesson came in the form of a book about eating less, handed to her by a male co-star.
    Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Berkeley has had some form of police oversight for decades, starting with the Police Review Commission formed in 1973.
    Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Kerr and several staffers compared the emptiness around downtown, coupled with the frigid temperatures outside, to feelings that existed during COVID.
    Nick Friedell, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Many roads in Austin remained icy on Monday morning and many coffee shops and restaurants echoed the emptiness on the streets with their own temporary closures.
    Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Still, even inside the awards-season bubble, the turmoil surrounding the movie business, the country and the world beyond it was hard to ignore.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • They're exhausted by the constant airing of grievances having little to do with what's actually going on in the country, and by the broad generalizations about, well, everything, that ignore context, nuance and facts to promote a political viewpoint.
    Brenda Looper, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • City officials hope to reverse that trend by revitalizing the downtown area, from attracting businesses to vacant storefronts to developing unused city sites, such as the corner lot burdened with the remains of Hotel Marysville, which was destroyed by fire in 2024.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • As the luxury building sat vacant, taggers armed with spray paint flocked there, hoping to leave a colorful mark on the city skyline.
    Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Other than Arturs Silovs, who was sensational between the pipes, and a spirited performance from rookie Ben Kindel, the Penguins produced an utter no-show against a surging Ottawa team.
    Josh Yohe, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
  • The content suggests yet another another instance of ICE's utter depravity.
    JT Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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!