vacuous
6
7.7
- adjective
- /ˈvæk.ju.əs/
- Offensive
:
vacuo
- His vacuous remarks during the meeting showed that he had not done any research on the topic.
Putting up a sign that says I support BLM is an empty vacuous virtue signal.
- Putting up a sign that says I support BLM is an empty vacuous virtue signal.
- A bullshitter, A vacuous virtue signaler.
- You're making an argument that's essentially circular or vacuous.
- Thought a lot of what they're saying was kind of kind of vacuous.
- It seems as though she is vapid and vacuous and just a kind of fun frilly party girl, but deep inside has a roiling inner life.
Examples
-
But Cook's "explanation" is a vacuous argument, another "blame everything on CO2?"
Blog text (20) -
He's quite a vacuous human being really.
-
Her eyes grew vacuous again; she became listless and suspicious.
Fiction book (1999) -
Increasingly, it seems that the only people who can afford to live here are vacuous, elite jet-setters.
Fiction book (1999) -
The fact that many of his views are ill-informed or vacuous doesn't change any of this.
Blog text (27) -
"The conversation is vacuous, and the conversants are fairly bursting with satisfaction.
Fiction book (1994) -
The film was entertaining but ultimately vacuous, lacking any real substance or message.
-
She often made vacuous comments about fashion trends without understanding their cultural significance.
Synonyms
351
3.7
Feeling like you have no feelings inside
89
4.2
A look that shows no expression or understanding
39
4.1
Not thinking or paying attention before acting
30
6.1
Dull and showing little energy
18
4.1
Having a blank look that shows no thought or interest
16
7.9
Not interesting or lively and often boring
3
6.3
Silly, not very intelligent and not serious
Being empty and having no real meaning or value
Dull and showing little energy or interest
Not clear or strong, with little real detail
Antonyms
How Intelligent
Surface Forms
Morphology
vacuous = vacant (semi-transparent) = vacu + ous
The figurative sense 'empty-headed, inane' is derived metaphorically from 'empty' but includes an evaluative shift that may not be fully obvious to all learners.
Etymology
The word vacuous comes from the Latin vacuus, 'empty'. A helpful way to remember it is to picture a 'vacant' head with no ideas, so vacuous means 'showing a lack of thought'.