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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
In one engraving from van Deventer’s manual, his arm is shown inserted into an empty uterus almost up to the elbow, the engraver’s close, texturing lines transforming his hand into a radiating light within a cavernous female darkness. Literary Hub, 16 June 2026 The sculptures were discovered lying face down in an in an empty Roman-Byzantine wine collection vat. Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 16 June 2026
Verb
The ombudsman later forced the government to close the makeshift camp and relocate the migrants in hotels that had been emptied by COVID-19. Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026 Basement dehumidifiers can require continual emptying in summer, so use one with a drain hose for easy operation. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for empty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for empty
Adjective
  • Her outfit was devoid of any other color.
    Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 15 June 2026
  • This is a story devoid of childlike wonder, just the horrific evil men are capable of and the small acts of grace found in unspeakable circumstances.
    Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • Democrats and food security advocates worry the changes are leaving people hungry.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 19 June 2026
  • With fans receiving something unique for the morning, the day games have shown a propensity to draw a hungrier crowd than the late-night games across the tournament, Borst said.
    Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • Many feminist Marxists believed, in the ’70s, that the liberation of sexuality would change the way that all people love one another and inhabit their bodies, such that the very categories of cissexual society shall become odd and meaningless.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 June 2026
  • But that doesn't mean the data is unimportant or meaningless, especially when HRV is considered alongside other health information such as sleep quality, resting heart rate, activity levels, recovery patterns or stress metrics.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • Radical approaches to what is precious and what is worthless—or appraisal—have always been more than the inversion of that which is useless made priceless, what was originally meant to be ephemeral made timeless.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
  • That essence of the girl who feels worthless and fears she’ll be found out by everyone still exists in Yasmin in Season 4.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 7 June 2026
Adjective
  • There were certainly many unsuccessful fits and starts.
    Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
  • Pearson said multiple attempts by Fish and Game to trap the bear were unsuccessful.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • Conversations with Chiarella helped Clausen nail down the technical elements of his performance, practicing disingenuous smiles and blank eyes.
    Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026
  • That word is presented as a row of blank squares.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • The Emergency Operations Center said in a statement that the approximately 1,690 guests staying at the resort were evacuated to other hotels and nearby housing facilities.
    Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 20 June 2026
  • All others inside the building when the fire broke out had evacuated to a nearby park on their own and no one was left behind, officials said.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • Perhaps more interesting still are the hundreds of barren whale remains that the researchers saw during their dives.
    Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 10 June 2026
  • In a barren free-agent class, though, that’s much easier said than done.
    Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 2 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Empty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/empty. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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