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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective vacant contrast with its synonyms?

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

a vacant apartment

When can blank be used instead of vacant?

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

a blank wall

When would empty be a good substitute for vacant?

In some situations, the words empty and vacant are roughly equivalent. However, empty suggests a complete absence of contents.

an empty bucket

When is vacuous a more appropriate choice than vacant?

While the synonyms vacuous and vacant are close in meaning, vacuous suggests the emptiness of a vacuum and especially the lack of intelligence or significance.

a vacuous facial expression

When is it sensible to use void instead of vacant?

The words void and vacant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 vacant In December, before the fires, the median rent for vacant units of all sizes across Los Angeles County was $2,045, down 0.7% from a year earlier but 6.8% more than in December 2019, according to data from Apartment List. Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025 Acquiring Isaac Paredes and signing Christian Walker shored up the vacant corners of their infield while addressing their foremost winter priority. Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025 Since 2017, Brown has had several interviews for vacant general manager roles. Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2025 But those looking to move into a vacant apartment because of the fires are likely to face significantly higher rents. Chris Isidore, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for vacant 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacant
Adjective
  • More than 200 guests were invited to the nuptials, yet Sarah showed a nearly empty venue after waiting for an hour and a half in a now-viral video recently posted on TikTok.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
  • What To Know The ASTRA Telegram channel, a project run by independent Russian journalists, said Ukraine targeted the plant in a massive drone attack, and struck an empty tank on its territory.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In one order, Trump directed the federal government to resume construction of the border wall, which was largely dormant under the Biden administration.
    Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Hike Rangitoto Island – the largest and youngest of Auckland’s 48 dormant volcanic cones.
    Roger Sands, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite Camille being reduced to an inanimate object that can do little more than sit with a blank look in her eyes, her conversations with her overbearing mother don’t change that much.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2025
  • There have been some that have turned in blank ballots, and that’s absolutely their right.
    Maury Brown, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • The medication has hallucinogenic effects that alter the perception of sight and sound and cause users to feel devoid from pain and out of control of their surroundings.
    Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2023
Adjective
  • Often, Jones would bring his daughter to the facility on an off day.
    Chad Graff, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
  • So on this off day, Powell got a massage in preparation for the grind to come.
    Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • McQueen spends half an hour dispassionately showing us the grimness of HMP Maze, a Troubles-era warehouse for enemies of the British state on a disused airfield.
    IndieWire Staff, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2024
  • In his first five night-shift stints as watchman at a disused ’80s amusement park/arcade mall — Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza Place — Mike stares glaze-eyed at security monitors, then drifts into violent 3-D incidents, His circumstance incarnates the hell that Morrissey sings about.
    Armond White, National Review, 1 Nov. 2023
Adjective
  • The Anatolian mountains, where Ali tends to a barren garden, provide a sinister backdrop from which anything, not just a vagabond dropped as if from the sky, can suddenly appear.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The streets are barren, save for occasional officials’ vehicles.
    Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • After five years, unused funds would start reverting back to the states.
    Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 24 Jan. 2025
  • More than a few have faced foreclosure, leaving owners anxious about the need to get tenants back in their buildings or find another use for the millions of unused square feet.
    Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near vacant

Cite this Entry

“Vacant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacant. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on vacant

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