blank 1 of 3

Definition of blanknext
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blank

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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

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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

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

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
My brain went completely blank. Henna Pryor, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026 Relying on complimentary onboard entertainment alone can leave you stuck staring at a blank screen—but the $12 Flight Flap turns your phone into a dependable entertainment hub. Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 18 Apr. 2026
Noun
After Suno spit out the concept, a collection of world-class musicians including string players and a drummer recorded the musical bits to fill in the blanks and add a more personalized human touch. Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026 Christian Pulisic drew another blank this weekend despite playing well, while Ricardo Pepi and Folarin Balogun delivered. Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
City are among the teams who blank in Gameweek 31, meaning selling Haaland could align well with longer-term planning, but only if his injury is confirmed as serious. Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026 It's become common practice for creatives to blank out their social media presences before announcing a new project, but Bad Bunny is already in the midst of a global tour that extends through July. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for blank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blank
Adjective
  • It’s been maddening to watch a lineup full of high-end hitters come up empty night after night in April, a month that has felt as long as about three.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
  • After sitting empty since Sting and Styler moved out, per the New York Post, the stylish spread has just returned to the market for $45 million, a whopping $5 million less than the current owner paid.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Too often, supporters have felt the players have struggled to even offer that, with meek away performances against Sunderland (3-0 defeat), Brighton & Hove Albion (2-0 defeat) and Everton (2-0 defeat) displaying a side devoid of belief and beaten before kick-off.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
  • In addition to the entire resort being devoid of single-use plastic, the property also participates in marine conservation efforts that include coral restoration and turtle rehabilitation.
    Christina Liao, Vogue, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Gil also totaled four complete innings, five hits, three walks, zero strikeouts and a pair of two-run homers, courtesy of Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes, in his fourth start of the season.
    Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
  • With savings up to 86 percent on complete sets and lots of cooling options for warm nights, there are some major bedding deals lurking on the site.
    Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Friendly and open but naturally quiet, the game is her ultimate form of expression.
    Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The desire to be original and authentic, and to use the creative process as a form of discovery and self-expression, largely replaced overt concerns with God.
    Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Why do people team up around an emptiness, so much spent breath?
    Julian Bell, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The scene leaves us wondering about the sudden emptiness.
    Paul Sutter, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The federal judge in that case ruled that a jury could find that State Farm had acted in bad faith if the plaintiffs' lawyers demonstrated that the company ignored certain kinds of hail damage.
    Michael Copley, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
  • In crush, puncture, and saw tests, the battery produced no smoke or flames – a safety profile that's hard to ignore.
    Omar Kardoudi April 28, New Atlas, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Carpentersville firefighters this week are using a vacant home at 14 Golfview Lane for training exercises.
    Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Jimmie Hayes, 50, was arrested Wednesday inside a vacant home in the 1000 block of Read Street, the Wilmington Police Department said in a news release.
    Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Everyone was right to describe the cans produced by Piero Manzoni, and dubbed Merda d’Artista, as utter crap.
    Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026
  • These are songs of utter persistence, of utter utterness.
    New York Times, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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