What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vacuous
Example
The politician's speech was vacuous and lacked any real substance. [vacuous: adjective]
Example
She stared at him with a vacuous expression on her face. [vacuous: adjective]
Example
The party had a vacuous atmosphere, with people making small talk and avoiding deeper conversations. [vacuous: adjective]
inane
Example
He made an inane comment about the weather, which nobody found amusing. [inane: adjective]
Example
The movie was full of inane jokes and slapstick humor. [inane: adjective]
Example
I can't believe we wasted our time on such an inane activity. [inane: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Inane is more commonly used than vacuous in everyday language. Inane is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while vacuous is less common and refers to a more specific type of emptiness or lack of content.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vacuous and inane?
Vacuous is typically associated with a more formal and serious tone, while inane is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
