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Definition of emptynext
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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
Not because the closet is empty. Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026 Most of us try to fix a closet that feels empty by adding to it. Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2026
Verb
That's roughly 15 days more than most other self-emptying robot vacuums. Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 3 July 2026 Mounjaro mimics two hormones that occur naturally in the body, which regulate blood sugar and appetite; the medication slows down gastric emptying and helps the pancreas release insulin as blood sugar rises. Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for empty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for empty
Adjective
  • In a show mostly devoid of explicit messages, the sentiment surprised me.
    Max Norman, New Yorker, 25 June 2026
  • Players take on the role of a Ditto capable of mimicking its human trainer, and the Pokémon is thrown into a world devoid of humans.
    Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • But be warned, reservations are a must — BoccaLupo is bustling with hungry diners from open to close.
    Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
  • Reinventing the aliens' origin story — as nomadic, resource-hungry scavengers — just made sense in the cynical '90s.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • Relatively meaningless but still badass.
    Asha Dore, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
  • At its core, unlike those meaningless marketing terms, ‘regenerative,’ when used responsibly, is legitimately full of deep meaning and has the potential to make significant human and environmental change when adopted at scale.
    Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • Bitcoin is either digital gold or worthless.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • If Iran can still open and shut the Strait at will or charge fees on it, does that mean this agreement is worthless?
    NBC news, NBC news, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • More than a decade ago, her association sought the same change at the federal level and was unsuccessful — opposed at the time by Wine Institute.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026
  • The city had taken it over, but several attempts at renovation were unsuccessful, until Alan Leventhal, chief executive of Beacon Capital Partners, happened to see the building and envisioned it as a great hotel.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • The computer sat in a corner of the living room, next to his record player, where my brother and I would make mixtapes off his vinyl, using a boombox and blank cassettes.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 July 2026
  • Regina asks point blank why Louis keeps coming to see her, and Louis’ honest.
    Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • The incident disrupted an operation to evacuate thousands of seafarers from vessels stuck in the Persian Gulf since the war broke out.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
  • What happened The International Maritime Organization on Thursday paused a nascent effort to evacuate ships stranded in the Persian Gulf after Iran struck a cargo vessel, causing damage but no casualties, according to the ship’s owner.
    Peter Weber, TheWeek, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • The fires eviscerated many of the plants and trees in and around the burn zones, leaving behind barren lots and charred swaths of parkland.
    Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • There are quite a few interesting options this summer, especially compared to last year’s barren goalie landscape that was headlined by veteran backups.
    Jesse Granger, New York Times, 25 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Empty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/empty. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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