1
as in hunger
a need or desire for food
the emptiness that usually sets in about three o'clock in the afternoon
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in void
empty space
there in the vast emptiness of the desert was a long-abandoned jeep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in vacancy
the quality or state of being empty
the emptiness of the interior of the isolated house just made it seem all the more eerie
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of emptiness
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
The average kitchen cabinet holds three or four plastic spray bottles in various states of emptiness, each one destined for the recycling bin—or, more likely, the trash.
—Jamie Thilman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026
There is no pathos in Sweeney’s delivery, only emptiness.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026
Inner emptiness has always been a fixation of Ye.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 1 Apr. 2026
While fans would have surely loved to get any of these songs over the past five years in lieu of the chaos of 2020s-era Ye, there’s still an emptiness at the heart of Bully.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2026
March marked the 100th anniversary of a famous building in downtown Detroit that, like numerous others in the city, was lucky to have survived a previous period of emptiness and neglect.
—Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Over time, this creates a sense of emptiness, a lack of purpose and significance.
—Arthur C. Brooks
march 22, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
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
The average kitchen cabinet holds three or four plastic spray bottles in various states of emptiness, each one destined for the recycling bin—or, more likely, the trash.
—Jamie Thilman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026
There is no pathos in Sweeney’s delivery, only emptiness.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026
Inner emptiness has always been a fixation of Ye.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 1 Apr. 2026
While fans would have surely loved to get any of these songs over the past five years in lieu of the chaos of 2020s-era Ye, there’s still an emptiness at the heart of Bully.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2026
March marked the 100th anniversary of a famous building in downtown Detroit that, like numerous others in the city, was lucky to have survived a previous period of emptiness and neglect.
—Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Over time, this creates a sense of emptiness, a lack of purpose and significance.
—Arthur C. Brooks
march 22, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emptiness
Noun
-
That standard is based on the Five Freedoms of animal welfare developed by the Farm Animal Welfare Council, which include freedom from hunger and thirst; from discomfort; from pain, from injury or disease, from fear and distress; and freedom to express normal behavior.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
After the Ground Zero event, the monarch, who prides himself on his environmental advocacy, will head uptown for a meeting in Harlem with a group that promotes urban farming programs for children and young people affected by hunger and food insecurity.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The former Nugget scored 15 points in 23 minutes off the bench in Game 5, helping Minnesota fill the void left behind by injuries to Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Brad Biggs addresses that apparent void and other roster-building questions in his weekly Bears mailbag.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Five vacancies were held by three Democrats and two Republicans.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Shopping, dining and nightlife Despite the vacancies, Country Club Plaza still offers plenty to do.—
Taylor Haught,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Salmonella infections are commonly associated with diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, according to the CDC.—
Addy Bink,
The Hill,
28 Apr. 2026
-
When ingested, the bacteria can release enzymes that neutralize stomach acids, then from there storm the intestines and can enter the blood.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The terrifying blankness of James Raterman’s military interrogator.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Jothan saw us and shook our hands, as did Michael Ray, but Sun Ra scuffled by with an air of depthless blankness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Maryland didn't pass this bill in a vacuum.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The compact vacuum converts into a handheld device for daily messes and spills above the floor.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Suppliers are also increasingly investing—both due to brand appetite and government regulations—in better data collection and traceability.—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The brunch menu is fairly limited, but has something for most appetites—Greek yogurt bowls, French toast, avocado toast, etc.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That’s also a long story, which Hokum eventually gets around to filling in the blanks.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Unbeknownst to Lydia, the gun is loaded with blanks.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Emptiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emptiness. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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