VACUOUS Synonyms: 203 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'vacuous' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vacuous are blank , empty , vacant , and void . While all these words mean "lacking contents which could or should be present," vacuous suggests the emptiness of a vacuum and especially the lack of intelligence or significance. // a vacuous facial expression

Q: When is it sensible to use 'blank' instead of 'vacuous'?

In some situations, the words blank and vacuous are roughly equivalent. However, blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface. // a blank wall

Q: In what contexts can 'empty' take the place of 'vacuous'?

The meanings of empty and vacuous largely overlap; however, empty suggests a complete absence of contents. // an empty bucket

Q: Where would 'vacant' be a reasonable alternative to 'vacuous'?

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

Q: When would 'void' be a good substitute for 'vacuous'?

The synonyms void and vacuous are sometimes interchangeable, but void suggests absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine. // a statement void of meaning

vacuous

adjective

ˈva-kyə-wəs

Definition of vacuous next

as in devoid

lacking contents that could or should be present a great vacuous space that should have been filled with an audience

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stupid

not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily a movie that was enthusiastically derided for its vacuous dialogue

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective vacuous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vacuous are blank, empty, vacant, and void. While all these words mean "lacking contents which could or should be present," vacuous suggests the emptiness of a vacuum and especially the lack of intelligence or significance.

a vacuous facial expression

When is it sensible to use blank instead of vacuous?

In some situations, the words blank and vacuous are roughly equivalent. However, blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface.

a blank wall

In what contexts can empty take the place of vacuous?

The meanings of empty and vacuous largely overlap; however, empty suggests a complete absence of contents.

an empty bucket

Where would vacant be a reasonable alternative to vacuous?

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

a vacant apartment

When would void be a good substitute for vacuous?

The synonyms void and vacuous are sometimes interchangeable, but void suggests absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine.

a statement void of meaning

Examples 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 vacuous Another weakness: some of the boneheaded, at times vacuous lyrics. —

Journal Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2024 On either side of Rapp’s Regina are her sidekicks: the approval-seeking Gretchen, played by Bebe Wood, and the charmingly vacuous Karen, played by the mononymous Avantika. —

EW.com, 20 Dec. 2023 Like family feuds, squabbles among poets are too tedious to recount, but Wiman remembers being accused of commissioning too much prose, of privileging formalism over free verse, and of publishing vicious reviews and vacuous poetry. —

Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 4 Dec. 2023 The Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative, launched with backing from the British government, set guidelines to deter corporations from making vacuous claims about the benefits of offsetting. —

Heidi Blake, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for vacuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacuous

Adjective

The medication has hallucinogenic effects that alter the perception of sight and sound and cause users to feel devoid from pain and out of control of their surroundings.

Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2023
That devoid ingredient hindered things exponentially.

Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 Feb. 2024