hollow 1 of 3

hollow

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noun

hollow

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

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
The statement is hollow so long as people still can stake their dollars on the calamities befalling everyday Angelenos. Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025 In the big picture, the victory as a 10-point underdog is hollow. Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
All that water had to compress into valleys and hollows. Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 4 Oct. 2024 But there's a good chance every bite of the nation’s orange obsession has its origins in the same spot: Morton, a sleepy hollow outside Peoria, Illinois that touts itself as the pumpkin capital of the world. John Riley, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024
Verb
What’s more important, for now, is how this hole in the center of Margaret’s life hollows her out and strains her relationships. Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 26 Jan. 2024 The new breed of autocrats corrode democracy by taking part in democratic politics and then hollowing them out until only an empty shell remains. Moisés Naím, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022 See all Example Sentences for hollow 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hollow
Adjective
  • Despite sounding contradictory, Eisen’s pieces appear to be very simple, but the minimal creations have complex shapes including concave ones.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Use the domed brush for concave bath tubs and sinks, or the pointed brush for corners and groutlines.
    Clara McMahon, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • But the concerns about how the state ended up in the budget hole to begin with, remains central to the blame game.
    Mikenzie Frost, Baltimore Sun, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Listen to this article Harris English finished with a flurry Friday afternoon in the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open, carding birdies on his final three holes for a 6-under 66 and a one-stroke lead over Andrew Novak heading into Saturday’s final round.
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Sandy and gravelly soils predominate on the valley floors, providing excellent drainage for the vines.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • A day after firefighters got a reprieve with lighter winds than expected, gusts were hitting up to 35 mph (56 kph) on the coast and in valleys and 55 mph (88 kph) in the mountains before dawn, National Weather Service meteorologist Todd Hall said.
    Josh DuBose, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Some argued that banks engaged in practices that gouged consumers, caused overdraft fees to snowball, discouraged some people from keeping money in a bank and caused others to see their bank accounts closed.
    Susan Tompor, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Big-play problems Jacksonville’s defense has been gouged by big plays, most of them through the air.
    Dan Gelston, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • To the right is the sunken living room, which has a row of clerestory windows and a fireplace with a ceiling-height brick surround.
    Angela Serratore, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Even with all that to choose from, Don’s penthouse apartment from season five, with its sunken living room, wood-paneling, and floor-to-ceiling windows, takes the cake.
    Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • There are simply not enough possible discretionary, non-defense domestic spending cuts to make a dent in the debt.
    Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 19 Jan. 2025
  • If the label was truly out to torpedo Drake’s career to gain a negotiation advantage, those percentage drops don’t seem significant enough to make a dent.
    Bill Hochberg, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • California’s largest fire in 2024 started when a man pushed a burning car into a ravine near Chico.
    Virginia Iglesias, The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Advertisement Hirschfield raped Gonsalves and dumped both of the teenagers’ bodies in a ravine about 30 miles east of Davis in Sacramento County, where they were found by police three days later.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Next, a tri-grit priming wand steps in to remove dead nail cells and allow for the third step—a hydrating treatment—to penetrate more effectively.
    Jenny Berg, Allure, 27 Jan. 2025
  • City could not penetrate Chelsea’s press in the period after going behind to that early goal.
    Sam Lee, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near hollow

Cite this Entry

“Hollow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hollow. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on hollow

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