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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
Cal Quantrill and three relievers combined on a five-hitter as the visiting Miami Marlins blanked the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 Wednesday night Quantrill (4-8) allowed three hits and two walks while striking out three. Miami Herald, 30 July 2025 As import bookings into the U.S. fell and ocean carriers began blanking sailings on the Pacific Ocean, trucking firms endured a brief period where cargo pickups out of America’s two largest ports—Los Angeles and Long Beach—plummeted. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 June 2025
Noun
If portions of the page appear blank and an ad blocker is enabled, please disable the ad blocker and refresh the page to ensure full access to the content. Austin Mock, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025 The Limey edit was a high-end version of the Kuleshov effect, wherein an identical shot of an actor’s blank face is stitched together with shots of a bowl of soup, a woman on a sofa, and a woman in a coffin. Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
Now, Beeman is filling in the blanks of In-A-Tub’s history, gathering artifacts along the way. Kansas City Star, 18 July 2025 Because in the absence of it, people fill in the blanks for themselves. Jessica Kriegel, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for blank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blank
Adjective
  • Folks fill empty totes and baskets with loaves of the traditional bread ($15), and for good reason.
    Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • There are women who shout and shout at the empty air.
    Rachel Cusk, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 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
  • According to The Wall Street Journal, the main house has five bedrooms and is complete with mountain views.
    Kaycee Sloan, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
  • At some point, however, Wu-Tang Clan will leave the stage together for a final time and both five-year plans will be complete.
    Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • From Lake Tahoe to Sonoma County, Northern California comes equipped with a wealth of unforgettable tourist destinations that showcase the abundant beauty of the state—and just north of Sacramento, an underrated getaway for nature lovers exists in the form of Butte County.
    Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • DreamWorks founder Jeffrey Katzenberg and Kimbal Musk, the younger brother of Elon Musk, are taking to the sky for a new form of live entertainment.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The rise of individuality Amid all this, another trend cannot be ignored: personalisation.
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Almost $500 in savings makes this Early Labor Day deal hard to ignore.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But in recent years, a number of storefronts along Platte have sat vacant where lively watering holes and eateries once stood.
    Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Pearce confirmed that, due to the title being vacant, Vaquer was unfortunately being removed from the Clash in Paris card.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The clip, filmed from inside a car, shows the dog with his mouth agape, staring in utter disbelief at the sight outside the window.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
  • This cookie was soft, nutty, salty, sweet—bite after bite, its utter deliciousness washed over me.
    Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The exhibition features new paintings, sculptures, and works on paper created by 102 juried artists, including international artists representing 16 countries, chosen from 703 applicants who submitted 1,160 artworks for consideration.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
  • The film is about a man in crisis after mergers and buyouts take out his job at a paper company.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

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