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empty

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verb

as in to evacuate
to remove the contents of empty the room before starting to paint the ceiling

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective empty contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of empty are blank, vacant, vacuous, and void. While all these words mean "lacking contents which could or should be present," empty suggests a complete absence of contents.

an empty bucket

When might blank be a better fit than empty?

While in some cases nearly identical to empty, blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface.

a blank wall

When could vacant be used to replace empty?

The words vacant and empty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants.

a vacant apartment

When is vacuous a more appropriate choice than empty?

Although the words vacuous and empty have much in common, 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 empty?

The meanings of void and empty 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 empty
Adjective
The 27-year-old tapped into an empty net to maintain Coventry’s unbeaten start in the Championship (two wins, three draws). Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025 The first attempts came up empty because the CMEs weren't strong enough. Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
The researchers also modeled gastroparesis, a condition where the stomach empties more slowly, often due to diabetes or viral infections. Alyssa Hui-Anderson, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2025 With the Hurricanes in control, leading 35-3 in the second half, Cristobal emptied the bench and let the program’s future shine. Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for empty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for 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
  • That devoid ingredient hindered things exponentially.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 Feb. 2024
Adjective
  • Its free lunch program for the homeless and hungry draws more than 200 people in a week, and a free drop-in mental health clinic operates from offices on-site.
    Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • But until now, such light sources required large, power-hungry tabletop systems.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For example, some parents may wonder if these behaviors are related to things like stimming (repetitive movement or sounds), echolalia (meaningless repetition of words), or self-regulation behaviors.
    ​Wendy Wisner, Parents, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The story unfolds in three distinct chapters as the crisis goes up the chain of command, with each part of the film showing how all our systems and technology are ultimately meaningless in the face of such destructive power.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The energy department said wind and solar capacity is 'worthless' without sunlight or wind.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Overnight, many of those owners saw their wealth erased — their principal assets rendered worthless.
    Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While Hadden-Paton was unsuccessful in keeping his dapper suit, his costar, Hugh Bonneville, who plays Lord Grantham, confessed to Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan on Live!
    Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reached out for comment but was unsuccessful.
    Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Above her headboard, a small square painting floats on a blank wall like a postage stamp, recalling a cross above the bed.
    Keith Flanagan, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2025
  • In 2022 and 2024, there were similar blank stretches, but both seasons ended with major wallops to Florida — Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022, and Hurricanes Helene and Milton last year.
    Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Neighboring homes were evacuated during the search due to the explosives found.
    Riley Hoffman, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Three weeks later, the 41-year-old was forced to evacuate her home with her newborn due to the devastating fires ravaging Los Angeles.
    Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The team wasn’t able to completely rule out that TRAPPIST-1e is a barren rock like its inner siblings, however, partly because of interference from its hyperactive star.
    Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The local Rite Aid was getting ready to shut down, with barren shelves and 75% off all items, while commerce elsewhere in the town of less than 3,000 people wasn’t exactly bustling.
    David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Empty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/empty. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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