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, unable to comprehend what he was saying. [vacuous: adjective]
stupid
Example
He made a stupid mistake by not checking the weather before going on a hike. [stupid: adjective]
Example
It's stupid to spend all your money on things you don't need. [stupid: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stupid is more commonly used than vacuous in everyday language. Stupid is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while vacuous is less common and refers to a more specific type of lack of intelligence.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vacuous and stupid?
Neither vacuous nor stupid are particularly formal words, but vacuous may be perceived as slightly more formal due to its Latin origin and neutral tone.
