VACANT Synonyms: 185 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of vacant are blank , empty , vacuous , and void . While all these words mean "lacking contents which could or should be present," vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants. // a vacant apartment

Q: When can 'blank' be used instead of 'vacant'?

While in some cases nearly identical to vacant , blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface. // a blank wall

Q: When would 'empty' be a good substitute for 'vacant'?

In some situations, the words empty and vacant are roughly equivalent. However, empty suggests a complete absence of contents. // an empty bucket

Q: When is 'vacuous' a more appropriate choice than 'vacant'?

While the synonyms vacuous and vacant are close in meaning, 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 'void' instead of 'vacant'?

The words void and vacant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, void suggests absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine. // a statement void of meaning

vacant

adjective

ˈvā-kənt

Definition of vacant

as in empty

lacking contents that could or should be present a vacant room that could be converted into a classroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dormant

not being in a state of use, activity, or employment looking for vacant land on which to build a house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in blank

not expressing any emotion the prisoner's vacant and distracted expression

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in deserted

left unoccupied or unused police discovered that vagrants had been sleeping in the vacant warehouse

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective vacant contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vacant are blank, empty, vacuous, and void. While all these words mean "lacking contents which could or should be present," vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants.

a vacant apartment

When can blank be used instead of vacant?

While in some cases nearly identical to vacant, blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface.

a blank wall

When would empty be a good substitute for vacant?

In some situations, the words empty and vacant are roughly equivalent. However, empty suggests a complete absence of contents.

an empty bucket

When is vacuous a more appropriate choice than vacant?

While the synonyms vacuous and vacant are close in meaning, 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 void instead of vacant?

The words void and vacant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 vacant For more than 50 years, the house remained vacant, was ravaged by fire, and fell into complete disrepair. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026 Amuom said the dissolution had contributed to the insecurity by leaving key local government posts vacant. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 The legislation would strengthen the low-income housing tax credit, provide more tax help for first-time buyers and has provisions to encourage conversion of vacant offices and commercial buildings into housing. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026 The centerpiece boulevard has become blighted by empty lots and vacant buildings. — Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vacant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacant

Adjective

Its operating empty weight stands at approximately 88,252 pounds.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Next door, a three-floor single-family home remained empty this week.

— Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of empty

Adjective

In the team's 3-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday at Progressive Field, the offense was dormant.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Paramount is taking over the Bay Theater, the long-shuttered cinema at Palisades Village formerly leased by Netflix, adding to a wave of revivals of dormant movie theaters across Los Angeles.

— Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of dormant

Adjective

More than 17 of the 26 pages provided were either blank or completely redacted, with large black boxes covering entire messages rather than specific pieces of sensitive information.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
Eligible military and overseas voters can receive blank ballots by mail, email or fax.

— Sergio Candido, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of blank

Adjective

The suitcase containing her body was found soon afterward by railway tracks in a deserted area.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Supporting this theory, the population of Lauriacum increased threefold over the next fifty years, with the deserted settlement now being used as a quarry.

— Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of deserted

Adjective

The residents occasionally gather in a disused rec center but the meetings devolve into rants about immigrants, junkies, thugs and vigilantism.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026
At least 14 artisanal miners are dead and scores are injured at a disused mine in South Africa, police said Tuesday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of disused

Adjective

Centered on the town of Bawiti, this remote depression in Egypt’s Western Desert is surrounded by barren hills, date palms, hot springs and sweeping desert landscapes.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2026
In Samuel Beckett's tragicomedy, two men wait beside a barren tree for someone called Godot who never arrives.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of barren

Browse Nearby Words

vacancy

vacant

vacantness

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“Vacant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacant. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of vacant

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