void 1 of 3

adjective

ˈvȯid How to pronounce void (audio)
Definition of voidnext
1
as in null
having no legal or binding force an agreement is void if obtained by force

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2
as in empty
lacking contents that could or should be present a nuclear explosion that would leave the landscape as void and lifeless as one could imagine

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3
as in devoid
utterly lacking in something needed, wanted, or expected entirely void of common sense

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4
as in deserted
left unoccupied or unused the cornfields lay void under a blanket of snow

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void

2 of 3

noun

1
as in gap
an incomplete or deficient area a repressed memory that left a huge void in her recollection of her adolescent years

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2
as in emptiness
empty space those ancient travelers who traversed those vast watery voids between the islands of Oceania

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3
as in hole
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge) the client wanted an old-fashioned stone wall and did not want the voids filled in with mortar

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void

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to repeal
to put an end to by formal action the court's decision voided the will the cashier voided the sale when the customer realized his wallet was at home

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2
as in to empty
to remove the contents of the seller has promised to void the house of all furniture

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective void contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of void are blank, empty, vacant, and vacuous. While all these words mean "lacking contents which could or should be present," void suggests absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine.

a statement void of meaning

When is it sensible to use blank instead of void?

The words blank and void are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface.

a blank wall

When might empty be a better fit than void?

The synonyms empty and void are sometimes interchangeable, but empty suggests a complete absence of contents.

an empty bucket

When can vacant be used instead of void?

In some situations, the words vacant and void are roughly equivalent. However, vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants.

a vacant apartment

In what contexts can vacuous take the place of void?

Although the words vacuous and void have much in common, vacuous suggests the emptiness of a vacuum and especially the lack of intelligence or significance.

a vacuous facial expression

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 void
Adjective
Rent If a rental unit was completely destroyed by the fires, the rental or lease agreement between tenant and landlord becomes void under California Law. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025 What void in the travel industry is August Collection seeking to fill? —Caroline Tell, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
Yoshi’s bummed about being denied a puppy by her parents, tempers her anger and fills the void with a scavenger hunt in her backyard that turns up a lizard (Laggie) and a cricket (Grillo). —Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025 Companies with less exposure to imports, like First Solar, were able to expand to fill the void. —Chris Carosa, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
If Soto exercises the opt-out, the Mets can void it by increasing Soto's annual salary from 2030-39 by $4 million, keeping him under contract for 15 years and $805 million. —Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025 Schumaker didn’t want to continue managing the Marlins, and both parties voided his option for 2025. —Jim Bowden, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for void
Recent Examples of Synonyms for void
  1. null
  2. empty
  3. devoid
  4. gap
  5. hole
  6. repeal
  7. invalid
  8. barren
Adjective
  • According to the sages of Wall Street, the legacy cable/satellite/telco-TV bundle is as dead as the Diplodocus, although there are still an awful lot of customers banging around in that null set.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Or at least Eren couldn’t, and his conclusion ably demonstrated the scientific value of null results.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 2 Jan. 2025
Definition of null
Adjective
  • The body part was dumped onto an empty schoolyard in northern Dublin around 10:30 a.m. Friday, according to Irish outlet Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE).
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025
  • That’s enough to fill from almost empty to 80 percent in 18 minutes.
    — Alistair Charlton, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of empty
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
Definition of devoid
Noun
  • Instead, Levi channels his inner MacGyver and spans the gap in a single go.
    — Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
  • And there’s a more than $100 million gap between the cost of local school districts’ special education programs and the aid the state provides.
    — Jessika Harkay, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of gap
Noun
  • Three bogeys and a par across his last four holes, compounded by two horror close-range misses, resigned him to a closing 69.
    — Ben Church, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025
  • New York's biggest hole is in the infield, and Arenado would fill it in a big way.
    — Zach Pressnell, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of hole
Verb
  • Democrats see the Medicaid cuts that are likely to be included in whatever legislation House Republicans put together as a salient line of political attack, akin to their efforts to campaign in 2018 on the GOP efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
    — Compiled by Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The resolution would unlock a mega-reconciliation bill to bolster oil and gas drilling and repeal IRA programs.
    — Nick Sobczyk, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of repeal
Adjective
  • The website collects your personal information and then asks you for payment methods, telling you that each one you input is invalid.
    — Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Yoon’s lawyers have also repeatedly argued that his arrest was politically motivated and that the warrant was invalid because of flaws in the way the investigation was conducted.
    — Mike Valerio, CNN, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of invalid
Adjective
  • Such descriptions enliven the book, and capture Shubin’s reverence for both the beauty and the mysteries hidden in the cold, barren tundra.
    — The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
  • For most of its barren interior, life is an afterthought—nature’s great white void, frozen in time.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of barren

Phrases Containing void

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Cite this Entry

“Void.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/void. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on void

Nglish: Translation of void for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about void

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