blank 1 of 3

adjective

ˈblaŋk How to pronounce blank (audio)
Definition of blanknext
1
as in empty
not expressing any emotion the teacher knew no one was paying attention when she looked out and saw all those blank faces

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in devoid
lacking contents that could or should be present the page of instructions actually turned out to be blank

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in complete
having no exceptions or restrictions his blank refusal to even consider my request for an unpaid leave of absence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

blank

2 of 3

noun

1
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
2
as in emptiness
empty space a blank on the form for the patient's insurance policy number

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

blank

3 of 3

verb

as in to ignore

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Kenny Chesney Dates: May 22, 24-25; May 28; May 30-31; June 4; June 6-7; June 11; June 13-14; June 18; June 20-21 Time: 8 p.m. What to expect: As both the first country artist and first solo musician to play the Sphere, Chesney will have a blank tablet to craft his inaugural appearances. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025 Think of it as the blank canvas of carbonated drinks. —Emily Price, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
Kingsley scored a game-high 21 points on 6-of-8 shooting, Price added 14 points on 7 of 9 from the field, and seniors Madden Smiley (17 points, six rebounds, three assists) and John Backhaus (12 points, 10 rebounds) filled in the blanks to advance. —Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2025 The vastness of framed white space and the comparatively minuscule labels arrest the viewer, requiring them to crane their neck, to move back and forth or close to the frame in order to read from part to part to whole while also weighing the blanks. —Mara Mills, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
Ivory played well in a difficult situation in Seattle last season, blanking the Current once with 10 saves. —Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2025 While the lineup has improved in terms of balance and defensive structure, the Yankees saw their bats blanked by a Dodgers team that entered the World Series with two and a half starting pitchers on their roster. —Tyler Small, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blank
  1. empty
  2. devoid
  3. complete
  4. form
  5. ignore
  6. vacant
  7. utter
  8. paper
Adjective
  • Imagine nearly every seat in Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center − over 20,000 seats − are empty.
    — Kymberlee Montgomery, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • On a rainy morning, the restaurant, made up of a few four-seat tables leading to the stage area, was mostly empty.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of empty
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
Definition of devoid
Adjective
  • All of the demolition and earthwork is complete, and the structure of the new stand is already being put into place.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The case will be reviewed by Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador once the investigation is complete, CBS affiliate KBOI reported.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of complete
Noun
  • Stage 4 is the most advanced form of melanoma, according to the American Cancer Society.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Each episode unfolds in flashback form, exploring what happened after the adoption.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of form
Verb
  • Wallen briefly hugged the actress but seemed to ignore the rest of the cast and quickly walked past view of the camera.
    — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
  • However, Catherine was unimpressed by him going overboard — and ignoring the importance of bedside manner — in the clinic.
    — Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of ignore
Adjective
  • The now vacant patch of land is roughly a mile west of Interstate 35W, within walking distance of a post office, a gas station, a high school and miles of subdivisions.
    — Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The 27-year-old Ennis (33-0-0-1 with 29 knockouts) won the vacant IBF interim welterweight crown in January 2023 with a unanimous decision victory over Karen Chukhadzhian.
    — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of vacant
Adjective
  • In utter disbelief, June responds by getting out of line and following the voice calling her name.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In the name of utter indulgence, soak in your own private hot tub while tucking into one of the Whirlpool Casitas, a good way to loosen up after a day on the links.
    — David Weiss, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of utter
Noun
  • At the end of his postgame availability, James crumpled up the paper and shot it into a nearby garbage can.
    — Jovan Buha, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • That same paper acknowledged that immediate impacts of the transition to privatization often leads to reduction in wages and loss of jobs.
    — Cicely Jones, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of paper

Browse Nearby Words

blandness
blank
blank check
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on blank

Nglish: Translation of blank for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about blank

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All