void 1 of 3

adjective

ˈvȯid How to pronounce void (audio)
Definition of voidnext
1
as in null
having no legal or binding force an agreement is void if obtained by force

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in empty
lacking contents that could or should be present a nuclear explosion that would leave the landscape as void and lifeless as one could imagine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in devoid
utterly lacking in something needed, wanted, or expected entirely void of common sense

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in deserted
left unoccupied or unused the cornfields lay void under a blanket of snow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

void

2 of 3

noun

1
as in gap
an incomplete or deficient area a repressed memory that left a huge void in her recollection of her adolescent years

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in emptiness
empty space those ancient travelers who traversed those vast watery voids between the islands of Oceania

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hole
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge) the client wanted an old-fashioned stone wall and did not want the voids filled in with mortar

Synonyms & Similar Words

void

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to repeal
to put an end to by formal action the court's decision voided the will the cashier voided the sale when the customer realized his wallet was at home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to empty
to remove the contents of the seller has promised to void the house of all furniture

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective void contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of void are blank, empty, vacant, and vacuous. While all these words mean "lacking contents which could or should be present," void suggests absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine.

a statement void of meaning

When is it sensible to use blank instead of void?

The words blank and void are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface.

a blank wall

When might empty be a better fit than void?

The synonyms empty and void are sometimes interchangeable, but empty suggests a complete absence of contents.

an empty bucket

When can vacant be used instead of void?

In some situations, the words vacant and void are roughly equivalent. However, vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants.

a vacant apartment

In what contexts can vacuous take the place of void?

Although the words vacuous and void have much in common, vacuous suggests the emptiness of a vacuum and especially the lack of intelligence or significance.

a vacuous facial expression

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 void
Adjective
Rent If a rental unit was completely destroyed by the fires, the rental or lease agreement between tenant and landlord becomes void under California Law. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025 What void in the travel industry is August Collection seeking to fill? —Caroline Tell, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
Yoshi’s bummed about being denied a puppy by her parents, tempers her anger and fills the void with a scavenger hunt in her backyard that turns up a lizard (Laggie) and a cricket (Grillo). —Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025 Companies with less exposure to imports, like First Solar, were able to expand to fill the void. —Chris Carosa, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
If Soto exercises the opt-out, the Mets can void it by increasing Soto's annual salary from 2030-39 by $4 million, keeping him under contract for 15 years and $805 million. —Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025 Schumaker didn’t want to continue managing the Marlins, and both parties voided his option for 2025. —Jim Bowden, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for void
Recent Examples of Synonyms for void
  1. null
  2. empty
  3. devoid
  4. gap
  5. hole
  6. repeal
  7. invalid
  8. barren
Adjective
  • According to the sages of Wall Street, the legacy cable/satellite/telco-TV bundle is as dead as the Diplodocus, although there are still an awful lot of customers banging around in that null set.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Or at least Eren couldn’t, and his conclusion ably demonstrated the scientific value of null results.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 2 Jan. 2025
Definition of null
Adjective
  • That’s enough to fill from almost empty to 80 percent in 18 minutes.
    — Alistair Charlton, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The body part was dumped onto an empty schoolyard in northern Dublin around 10:30 a.m. Friday, according to Irish outlet Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE).
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of empty
Adjective
  • Delle, devoid for so long from its intrinsic need for social interaction might be filling in the gaps by talking to himself.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 14 Feb. 2023
  • 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
Definition of devoid
Noun
  • These real-user frustrations underscore the critical gap in how the new packaging fails to balance child safety with the needs of all users — particularly those who rely on hearing aids for daily use.
    — Bill Schiffmiller, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Communicate intentionally Taking the time to check in with your partner is one simple way to narrow the gap.
    — Christina Pérez, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of gap
Noun
  • The maritime archaeologist identified shell impact holes in the upper starboard of the hull’s ballast tank and significant battle damage to the base of the submarine’s conning tower.
    — Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Placing the tag on Holland could make some sense, but a $19.6 million price tag could be too rich for a Dolphins team that needs to shore up several holes.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2025
Definition of hole
Verb
  • Democrats see the Medicaid cuts that are likely to be included in whatever legislation House Republicans put together as a salient line of political attack, akin to their efforts to campaign in 2018 on the GOP efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
    — Compiled by Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The resolution would unlock a mega-reconciliation bill to bolster oil and gas drilling and repeal IRA programs.
    — Nick Sobczyk, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of repeal
Adjective
  • The website collects your personal information and then asks you for payment methods, telling you that each one you input is invalid.
    — Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Yoon’s lawyers have also repeatedly argued that his arrest was politically motivated and that the warrant was invalid because of flaws in the way the investigation was conducted.
    — Mike Valerio, CNN, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of invalid
Adjective
  • In her first Cowboy Carter teaser during the 2024 Super Bowl, Bey is seen driving a taxi through a barren landscape.
    — Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Is there something about the needy Anja and her ragged child that the barren Isabell responds to?
    — Alissa Simon, Variety, 16 Feb. 2025
Definition of barren

Phrases Containing void

Browse Nearby Entries

void
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Void.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/void. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on void

Nglish: Translation of void for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about void

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Canceled' or 'cancelled'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

'In Vino Veritas' and Other Latin Phrases to Live By

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'In Vino Veritas' and Other Latin Phrases to Live By

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
clapperboard-popcorn
Hollywood Lingo Quiz Are you a showbiz whiz?
See All