ound of moral obligation, or of actions that have a moral character,
_expediency_ denoting immediate _advantage_ on a contracted view, and
especially with reference to avoiding danger, difficulty, or loss, while
_utility_ may be so broadened as to cover all existence through all
time, as in the utilitarian theory of morals. _Policy_ is often used in
a kindred sense, more positive than _expediency_ but narrower than
_utility_, as in the proverb, "Honesty is the best _policy_." Compare
PROFIT.

Antonyms:

disadvantage, futility, inadequacy, inutility, uselessness,
folly, impolicy, inexpediency, unprofitableness, worthlessness.

* * * * *

VACANT.

Synonyms:

blank, leisure, unfilled, untenanted, void,
empty, unemployed, unoccupied, vacuous, waste.

That is _empty_ which contains nothing; that is _vacant_ which is
without that which has filled or might be expected to fill it; _vacant_
has extensive reference to rights or possibilities of occupancy. A
_vacant_ room may not be _empty_, and an _empty_ house may not be
_vacant_. _Vacant_, as derived from the Latin, is applied to things of
some dignity; _empty_, from the Saxon, is preferred in speaking of
slight, common, or homely matters, tho it may be applied with special
force to the highest; we speak of _empty_ space, a _vacant_ lot, an
_empty_ dish, an _empty_ sleeve, a _vacant_ mind, an _empty_ heart, an
_empty_ boast, a _vacant_ office, a _vacant_ or _leisure_ hour. _Void_
and _devoid_ are rarely used in the literal sense, but for the most part
confined to abstract relations, _devoid_ being followed by _of_, and
having with that addition the effect of a prepositional phrase; as, the
article is _devoid of_ sense; the contract is _void_ for want of
consideration. _Waste_, in this connection, applies to that which is
made so by devastation or ruin, or gives an impression of desolation,
especially as combined with vastness, probably from association of the
words _waste_ and vast: _waste_ is applied also to uncultivated or
unproductive land, if of considerable extent; we speak of a _waste_
track or region, but not of a _waste_ city lot. _Vacuous_ refers to the
condition of being _empty_ or _vacant_, regarded as continuous or
characteristic.

Antonyms:

brimful, busy, filled, inhabited, overflowing,
brimmed, crammed, full, jammed, packed,
brimming, crowded, gorg