vacuous

adjective

ˈva-kyə-wəs How to pronounce vacuous (audio)
Definition of vacuousnext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

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 vacuous The serpentine crawl around the airport’s South terminal gave way to wide open space, offering no signs of what the vacuous hall looked like just hours earlier. — Eve Chen, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026 Free-wheeling and overflowing with dopamine, the songs on Nondi… feel like electronic renderings of the vacuous promise of connection in digital society. — Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 5 Mar. 2026 In some ways, that Fennell’s Wuthering Heights is this vacuous and one-dimensional feels like progress. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2026 The reason for this is that the AI might otherwise go down a shallow pathway and only offer vacuous platitudes. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vacuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacuous
  1. devoid
  2. stupid
  3. empty
  4. dumb
  5. barren
  6. slow
  7. simple
  8. thick
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
Definition of devoid
Adjective
  • Trump’s super intelligence rebrand can ultimately be read in a couple ways, though arguably neither are particularly nuanced or incisive — just further indicative of the daily deluge of stupid.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Once upon a time, the idea that the world was growing stupider was mostly confined to the realm of dyspeptic reactionary polemic.
    — James Marriott, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of stupid
Adjective
  • The former Cap City Tavern building in Denver has sat empty since leaving its Golden Triangle neighborhood home in July 2025, but that’s about to change.
    — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The footage shows a nearly empty parking lot and the property is temporarily closed.
    — Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of empty
Adjective
  • Wow, the brown Democratic candidate calling the white Republican candidate a dumb immigrant — California politics sure have changed!
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • His current employer is Damien Cantor, an authentically sleazy and slippery character who operates under no discernible code beyond indulging a dumb, preening narcissism.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of dumb
Adjective
  • Pollinators and birds have found a welcoming haven here, is a spot that was previously barren, rocky ground.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The 80-kilometer stretch between Abu Dhabi and Dubai — a barren expanse of farms, factories, warehouses, and not much else — is now drawing multibillion-dollar property projects.
    — Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of barren
Adjective
  • The slow rate at which this is occurring indicates this cosmic vampirism will last for hundreds of thousands to billions of years.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The problem is that these systems are slow, expensive and don’t scale.
    — Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of slow
Adjective
  • His lyrics, his hooks, his unmistakable voice, his optimism, his belief in the power of a simple song to make people feel good.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Some people want to change the world, and others want to operate in simple harmony with it and savor life.
    — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of simple
Adjective
  • The theme spills out into a walled garden, where the pool (which could have been a Raj pond in a past life) is lined with white parasols and thick, cushioned loungers.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • His lovely camel-hair coat and thick scarf on this cold day gave him an air of elegance.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of thick

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vacuous
vacuum
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Cite this Entry

“Vacuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacuous. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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