vacuous
Adjective
Hard difficulty
What does “vacuous” mean?
adjective.having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence; mindless.
SAT Usage
this term often appears in passages discussing intellect, philosophy, or social commentary, particularly in the context of superficiality or emptiness in thoughts and ideas. It emphasizes a deeper critique of characters or behaviors that lack depth or meaningful engagement, distinguishing it from synonyms like "empty" by suggesting not just a void, but a willful disregard for substance or critical thought.
Common Confusions
Vacuous implies a willful disregard for substance or critical thought, while superficial usually suggests a lack of depth without the same connotation of intentional emptiness.
Do not choose vacuous if the context emphasizes depth or intelligence rather than a lack of thought or mindlessness.
Example Sentences
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The celebrity's vacuous remarks offered no real insight.