vacuous
Lacking any substance
Vacuous describes something empty of substance, meaning, or intelligence.
A vacuous expression shows no thought behind it.
Vacuous remarks offer nothing worth considering.
The word carries a sharper edge than merely "empty"—it suggests a hollowness where something meaningful should be: vacuous celebrity culture, a vacuous smile.
Without marks or content
- vacantWithout an occupant
- stareProlonged fixed gaze
- gazeFixed, intent look
- unresponsiveFailing to react or reply
deadpan · flat · emotionless · impassive · glazed · absent · disengaged · faraway
Frivolous or absurd
- absurdWildly illogical
- nonsensicalWithout coherent meaning
- fatuousSilly and self-satisfied
- asinineExtremely foolish or stupid
ridiculous · ludicrous · foolish · idiotic · preposterous · laughable · senseless · moronic
Holding nothing inside
- purposelessLacking aim or intention
- pointlessLacking any purpose
- hollowEmpty within
- vapidDull, without depth
insubstantial · worthless · devoid · barren · fruitless · valueless · nihilistic · futile
Absence of substance
- nothingnessComplete absence of existence
- voidWithout legal effect
- spaceUnoccupied area or interval
- hollowEmpty within
Lacking sense or intelligence
- mindlessLacking thought or awareness
- brainlessDevoid of intelligence
- dimLow in light
- witlessLacking intelligence or sense
simpleminded · dense · obtuse · thick · dull-witted · slow · ignorant · foolish
Lacking distinctive qualities
- dullLacking edge or interest
- vapidDull, without depth
- flatLacking vertical variation
- uninspiredLacking creative spark
lifeless · tedious · boring · lackluster · stale · jejune · prosaic · mundane
Lacking depth or substance
- skin-deepAffecting only the surface
- glibSuperficially articulate
- facileSuperficially simple or effortless
- lightweightLacking mass or importance
trivial · frivolous · cursory · perfunctory · simplistic · cosmetic · surface-level · unsubstantial
blank
Without marks or content
unresponsive · deadpan · flat · emotionless · impassive · glazed · absent · disengaged · faraway · unfocused
silly
Frivolous or absurd
- absurdWildly illogical
- nonsensicalWithout coherent meaning
- fatuousSilly and self-satisfied
asinine · ridiculous · ludicrous · foolish · idiotic · preposterous · laughable · senseless · moronic · imbecilic
empty
Holding nothing inside
- purposelessLacking aim or intention
- pointlessLacking any purpose
- hollowEmpty within
vapid · insubstantial · worthless · devoid · barren · fruitless · valueless · nihilistic · futile · aimless
emptiness
Absence of substance
- nothingnessComplete absence of existence
- voidWithout legal effect
- spaceUnoccupied area or interval
empty-headed
Lacking sense or intelligence
witless · simpleminded · dense · obtuse · thick · dull-witted · slow · ignorant · foolish · unintelligent
bland
Lacking distinctive qualities
uninspired · lifeless · tedious · boring · lackluster · stale · jejune · prosaic · mundane · colorless
superficial
Lacking depth or substance
- skin-deepAffecting only the surface
- glibSuperficially articulate
- facileSuperficially simple or effortless
lightweight · trivial · frivolous · cursory · perfunctory · simplistic · cosmetic · surface-level · unsubstantial · flimsy
- foolishfoolish, stupid, dumb, brainless, witless
- futilefutile, useless, pointless, fruitless, vain
- thoughtlessthoughtless, unthinking, mindless, unreflective, unconsidered
- Nonexistencenothing, nothingness, nonexistence, void, null
vacuousintelligent
Having mental acuity
thoughtful · wise · brilliant · sharp · clever
vacuousmeaningful
Having purpose or significance
substantive · significant · profound · weighty · pithy