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Definition of emptynext
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empty

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verb

as in to evacuate
to remove the contents of empty the room before starting to paint the ceiling

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective empty contrast with its synonyms?

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

an empty bucket

When might blank be a better fit than empty?

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

a blank wall

When could vacant be used to replace empty?

The words vacant and empty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants.

a vacant apartment

When is vacuous a more appropriate choice than empty?

Although the words vacuous and empty have much in common, 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 empty?

The meanings of void and empty 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 empty
Adjective
On July 4, John Hancock, of Massachusetts, president of the Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence with his prodigious signature in an almost empty chamber. Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026 And the venue's online event calendar is suspiciously empty until July 7. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 3 July 2026
Verb
That's roughly 15 days more than most other self-emptying robot vacuums. Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 3 July 2026 Mounjaro mimics two hormones that occur naturally in the body, which regulate blood sugar and appetite; the medication slows down gastric emptying and helps the pancreas release insulin as blood sugar rises. Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for empty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for empty
Adjective
  • In a show mostly devoid of explicit messages, the sentiment surprised me.
    Max Norman, New Yorker, 25 June 2026
  • Players take on the role of a Ditto capable of mimicking its human trainer, and the Pokémon is thrown into a world devoid of humans.
    Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • But be warned, reservations are a must — BoccaLupo is bustling with hungry diners from open to close.
    Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
  • Reinventing the aliens' origin story — as nomadic, resource-hungry scavengers — just made sense in the cynical '90s.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • One sure focus is the rampant grade inflation that exaggerates student achievement and has made graduating high school close to meaningless as an indicator of college preparedness.
    U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 2026
  • This distinction between meaningful and meaningless data evokes signal versus noise, a communication concept formulated by the mathematician Claude Shannon.
    Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • Still, Twain squandered his own fortune and Livy’s inheritance on developing Paige’s invention, even as the Mergenthaler Linotype became the industry standard, rendering Paige’s machine worthless.
    Ron Chernow, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
  • Bitcoin is either digital gold or worthless.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • Her 36-year-old NFL star boyfriend was also coming off another season playing for the Kansas City Chiefs, which ended with an unsuccessful campaign for a third consecutive Super Bowl ring.
    Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 4 July 2026
  • However, the efforts were unsuccessful, according to the statement.
    Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • The computer sat in a corner of the living room, next to his record player, where my brother and I would make mixtapes off his vinyl, using a boombox and blank cassettes.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 July 2026
  • Regina asks point blank why Louis keeps coming to see her, and Louis’ honest.
    Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • The air was already clearing by the time the stadium was evacuated.
    Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • The Secret Service said earlier this evening that all attendees who evacuated the venue due to orders to shelter from approaching severe storms would have to go through security screenings again.
    Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
Adjective
  • The fires eviscerated many of the plants and trees in and around the burn zones, leaving behind barren lots and charred swaths of parkland.
    Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • There are quite a few interesting options this summer, especially compared to last year’s barren goalie landscape that was headlined by veteran backups.
    Jesse Granger, New York Times, 25 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Empty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/empty. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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