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 Howard plays himself as a tyrannical auteur who petulantly refuses to cut a vacuous scene from his overlong thriller, warding off pleas only to change his mind at the moment of truth. —Peter Bart, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025 The result is a cacophonous temper tantrum, a vacuous and perfidious advertisement for military recruitment. —Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2025 The vacuous idea was to simply log into the generative AI app and start typing. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 The president is an aspirational dictator, and no transparently vacuous rhetoric can undercut this glaring truth that informs the collusive efforts of Russian and U.S. actions. —Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025 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
  • Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.
    — Michael Abbott, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • 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
Definition of devoid
Adjective
  • Not just on the training pitch but in the dorm rooms, talking about the future and giggling at stupid jokes.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 21 May 2025
  • President Donald Trump said only stupid people would refuse a $400 million gift.
    — Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 17 May 2025
Definition of stupid
Adjective
  • American retailers cried foul and indicated Santa Claus’s sled would be empty.
    — Bruce Yandle, Boston Herald, 1 June 2025
  • Those who depend on the river are already dealing with uncertainty: this season’s mountain snowpack is expected to deliver about half the median amount of water to the system’s two major reservoirs, which are already two-thirds empty.
    — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 31 May 2025
Definition of empty
Adjective
  • Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.
    — Daniel Jackson, Allure, 18 July 2017
  • Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.
    — Andy Benoit, The MMQB, 10 July 2017
Definition of dumb
Adjective
  • The festival was deliberately planned for the barren weeks in June after college students left and before the summer concert and festival season kicked in.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2025
  • The Bureau’s new research station on Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano, with its high altitude and barren landscape, would prove to be the ideal collection spot.
    — Ashley Braun, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 May 2025
Definition of barren
Adjective
  • The solution to getting those who may be slower to embrace AI isn’t to push them harder, but to coach them and consider their backgrounds.
    — Greg Edwards, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
  • Still, even if the growth is slower than in some North American leagues, European teams continue to appreciate.
    — Justin Teitelbaum, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Definition of slow
Adjective
  • Trevon Williams, who did not escape from the New Orleans jail, was charged with 10 counts of being a principal to simple escape, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced on May 23.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 25 May 2025
  • Related Stories 13 Under-The-Radar Activities And Experiences In Key West The 11 Best Key West Restaurants On The Water Rooms And Rates The rooms are bright, cheerful, and simple, with colorful coastal touches in artwork and decorative items like pillows.
    — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
Definition of simple
Adjective
  • Its thick plastic outer casing is impervious to flex.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 28 May 2025
  • Conversely, smog, cloud cover, and thicker ozone layers limit the amount of UV radiation that reaches the skin.6 Locations further from the equator at higher altitudes experience less sunlight in the winter and more in the summer.
    — Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 27 May 2025
Definition of thick

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Cite this Entry

“Vacuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacuous. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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