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 Eventually, the interior fell largely vacant and the exterior acquired a second skin of billboards, effectively converting it into a scaffolding for ads. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 1 Oct. 2026 About 2,270 parking spaces would initially be available on surrounding vacant parcels, including land planned for future development. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026 The vacant warehouses that had once symbolized Wynwood’s decline started transfoming into art studios and galleries. — Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026 Fortune's body was found hanging from a tree behind a vacant home on Road of Remembrance days later. — Deena Zaru, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vacant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacant

Adjective

Almost every house was then surrounded by adjacent empty lots that had been seized to ensure that no one else would build.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
The paper towel dispenser was empty for the market’s employee restroom.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of empty

Adjective

The blank area, or the area not occupied by the author’s work, has almost the same importance in a book as that occupied by the ink used to print the text.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Nearly six million people cast a blank or spoiled vote — including Alexandre Moreira, a 21-year-old university student.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of blank

Adjective

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
On the other side of the dark matter manhole, the pair find themselves on a deserted planet which seems to have already been utterly destroyed.

— Katie Campione, Deadline, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of deserted

Adjective

Mix these finds into your work wardrobe or your off-duty ensembles—they’re versatile enough to do it all, and the festive palette is worth drooling over.

— Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026
Caminero is one of those players who, even amid a 162-game season, spends his off days watching baseball.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of off

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

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

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 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of vacant

adjective

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