HOLLOW Synonyms: 172 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'hollow' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of hollow are empty , idle , nugatory , otiose , and vain . While all these words mean "being without worth or significance," empty and hollow suggest a deceiving lack of real substance or soundness or genuineness. // an empty attempt at reconciliation // a hollow victory

Q: When is it sensible to use 'idle' instead of 'hollow'?

Although the words idle and hollow have much in common, idle suggests being incapable of worthwhile use or effect. // idle speculations

Q: When could 'nugatory' be used to replace 'hollow'?

The synonyms nugatory and hollow are sometimes interchangeable, but nugatory suggests triviality or insignificance. // a monarch with nugatory powers

Q: When can 'otiose' be used instead of 'hollow'?

In some situations, the words otiose and hollow are roughly equivalent. However, otiose suggests that something serves no purpose and is either an encumbrance or a superfluity. // a film without a single otiose scene

Q: Where would 'vain' be a reasonable alternative to 'hollow'?

While in some cases nearly identical to hollow , vain implies either absolute or relative absence of value. // vain promises

hollow 1 of 3

adjective

ˈhä-(ˌ)lō

Definition of hollow

as in concave

curved inward there's a noticeably hollow spot in the mattress where he has been sleeping

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hollow

2 of 3

noun

as in hole

a sunken area forming a separate space made a little hollow in her mound of mashed potatoes and filled it with gravy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in valley

an area of lowland between hills or mountains a quaint village nestled in a hollow among green hills

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hollow

3 of 3

verb

as in to gouge

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Dissimilar Words

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How is the word hollow distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of hollow are empty, idle, nugatory, otiose, and vain. While all these words mean "being without worth or significance," empty and hollow suggest a deceiving lack of real substance or soundness or genuineness.

an empty attempt at reconciliation

a hollow victory

When is it sensible to use idle instead of hollow?

Although the words idle and hollow have much in common, idle suggests being incapable of worthwhile use or effect.

idle speculations

When could nugatory be used to replace hollow?

The synonyms nugatory and hollow are sometimes interchangeable, but nugatory suggests triviality or insignificance.

a monarch with nugatory powers

When can otiose be used instead of hollow?

In some situations, the words otiose and hollow are roughly equivalent. However, otiose suggests that something serves no purpose and is either an encumbrance or a superfluity.

a film without a single otiose scene

Where would vain be a reasonable alternative to hollow?

While in some cases nearly identical to hollow, vain implies either absolute or relative absence of value.

vain promises

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 hollow

Adjective

Its hollow masts also act as ventilators, funneling air up when heated in the sun. — Sal Vaglica, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Again, there’s no physically palpable rumble, but the frequency coverage above the sub-bass range is strong enough that the scene doesn’t feel thin or hollow without a subwoofer. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026

Noun

At Dries Van Noten, Thomas de Kluyver scribbled inky liner into the hollows of eyes and just under the lash line. — Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026 This creates four pod-like spaces for the occupants who sit low in hollows between batteries. — New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2026

Verb

That, in the end, is what separates productive worry from the kind that hollows you out. — Angela Haupt, Time, 8 May 2026 For owners, labor has always been a cost center; AI is the first technology that credibly promises to hollow it out entirely. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hollow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hollow

Adjective

The Rick Owens show included sparkling avant-garde boots with a fierce platform wedge, as well as sandals with concave wedge heels.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
The convex-concave curves of the open and closed parentheses cup something said by the way, whisperings, secrets mouthed into the reader’s ear, mumbled under the author’s breath.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of concave

Noun

In higher-dimensional gravity, certain black-hole-like objects, such as black strings, can become unstable and fragment.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Sabbatini played his final six holes in 6-under par, which included his 25-foot eagle putt from the fringe on the par-5 15th hole.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of hole

Noun

The quicker melting changes the usual flow of water through valleys and into the lake, compounding the challenges.

— Silvia Console Battilana, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
With panoramic views of the city and valley as a backdrop, days at Resorts World can take any number of directions.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of valley

Verb

Insurance carriers are often able to negotiate a better rate for the tow, if he was indeed getting gouged.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
During Fortescue’s early years, the environmental toll of gouging metals from the earth was all but an afterthought.

— Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of gouge

Adjective

The lap pool shares the roof with a sunken lounge, barbecue area, covered dining space and bathroom.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026
Take your drink to one of the sunken couches next to the fireplace, or head outside to the courtyard to mingle and relax under the open sky.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of sunken

Verb

This shampoo, for instance, contains salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and stimulate the scalp as well as strengthening molecules that penetrate deep into the cortex to minimize breakage.

— Ellie Davis, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026
While discussing the weapons, White allegedly gestured toward her torso and asked whether the guns could penetrate an agentâs body armor.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of penetrate

Noun

Step 3 Unwrap turkey and remove giblets and any other parts (such as neck) that may be inside cavity; save for gravy if desired.

— Alton Brown, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026
The new technology instead places the diamond directly inside a laser cavity.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of cavity

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hollos

hollow

hollowed

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“Hollow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hollow. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hollow

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