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blank

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noun

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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

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blank

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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
Hunger, incompletion, endless deferral, a blank state of isolated inwardness. A.o. Scott, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025 Going to Naples with a ‘blank canvas’ Styler has long had a relationship with Italy, having acted in three films in the country in the 1980s and giving birth to her third child, Eliot, in Pisa in 1990. Lucy Handley, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
The story that scholars have put together is incomplete due to inconsistent recordkeeping, but the search to fill in the blanks is ongoing. Frances MacDougall, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2025 Mayers, 36, claims the firearm in his hand that night was a prop gun, only capable of firing blanks. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
Chalamet didn’t win any awards for Call Me by Your Name, despite being nominated for all of them, and has thus far been blanked on television for A Complete Unknown. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2025 Edwards, a 6-3 power forward who’s coming off of her rookie season in the WNBA, blanked Stewart in the opening round of the tournament, winning 12-0. Staff and Wire Reports, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blank
Adjective
  • At the end of the family's very eventful day, Duggar and Wissmann sat around a quiet, unlit campfire with many empty camping chairs waiting for the rest of the family to arrive.
    Rachel Flynn, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
  • From 65 million to 80 million housing units across China are estimated to be empty.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
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
Adjective
  • When to Contact a Dermatologist Results from bacne treatment can take six to eight weeks to see, with complete clearing taking up to four months.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2025
  • To learn more information on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
    Siena Gagliano, Allure, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Other questions abound and after soliciting questions, readers responded by submitting hundreds of inquiries via the Bee’s call-out form and through email.
    William Melhado, Sacramento Bee, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The most complex robot, though, was Cosmo, with his oversized head and unrealistic form.
    Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Israeli prime minister ignores the views of the majority of his people.
    Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The trolls ignore Reed’s efforts to offer the estate a platform to rebut Robson and Safechuck’s allegations.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The program, part of the $11.5 million Neighborhood Investment Fund program announced last fall by the city, aims to build out vacant storefronts and improve existing ones along the major corridors of Albany Avenue, North Main Street, Park Street and Maple Avenue.
    Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Tourists will still come by the thousands to admire the monuments, even if some of the big stone buildings turn vacant, like the ruins of the Roman Forum.
    Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Juxtaposed with the shots of the children cheerfully collecting these portraits are the scenes of the utter devastation wrought by the war between Hamas and the Israel Defense Forces, which the United Nations says has claimed the lives of more than 48,000 Palestinians.
    Don Riddell, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The easy, breezy spring dresses this season exude utter femininity while empowering the wearer to walk with confidence and comfort — what more can women want for their wardrobe?
    Adam Mansuroglu, WWD, 24 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Around this time, Maxson Manor, the local restaurant run by the church, took out an ad in the same paper.
    Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
  • This find is particularly exciting, explained Ritvik Basant, who is a Ph.D. student at the University of Chicago and an author on a paper about the new discovery.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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