Lodash _.stubObject() Method

Beginner
5 min read
Updated: Nov 2026
5 examples
Util
Decorative image with the word STUBOBJECT

Definition

This method returns a new empty object. Part of Lodash Util since 4.13.0 (stable — not deprecated).

Note: Every call creates a fresh {}. That differs from _.constant({}), which reuses one shared object.

Syntax

Call _.stubObject. Start with this line.

Lodash
_.stubObject()
CallWhat it does
_.stubObject()Primary signature.
_.stubObject(...)Call the util helper.

Prefer import stubObject from "lodash/stubObject" when you want a smaller bundle.

Library declarations
Lodash
_.stubObject()

Parameters

This method has no parameters beyond those shown in the signature.

Return Value

Return ValueDescription
*New empty object {}

Lodash Examples

Example 1 — Official: Distinct Empty Objects

Build two empty objects that are not the same reference.

Lodash
var objects = _.times(2, _.stubObject);

console.log(objects);
// → [{}, {}]

console.log(objects[0] === objects[1]);
// → false
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Pass by reference. _.stubObject — no trailing ().
  2. Two calls. _.times invokes it twice.
  3. Two objects. Each call returns a new {}.
  4. Check. === is false — not shared.

Example 2 — Direct Call

Get one empty object when you need it immediately.

Lodash
_.stubObject();
// → {}

Object.keys(_.stubObject());
// → []
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Call. Returns a plain empty object.
  2. Keys. Object.keys shows no own properties.
  3. Type. A normal object — safe to assign keys later.
  4. Use. Handy default for option bags and maps.

Example 3 — Independent Mutation

Changing one stub object does not affect another.

Lodash
var a = _.stubObject();
var b = _.stubObject();

a.name = "Ada";

console.log(a);
// → { name: "Ada" }

console.log(b);
// → {}
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Two factories. a and b are different objects.
  2. Mutate a. Add name only on a.
  3. b stays empty. No shared reference leak.
  4. Why it matters. Safe for per-item defaults in loops.

Example 4 — stubObject vs constant({})

Factory of fresh objects vs one shared stub.

Lodash
var fresh = _.times(2, _.stubObject);
fresh[0] === fresh[1];
// → false

var shared = _.times(2, _.constant({}));
shared[0] === shared[1];
// → true
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. stubObject. Each slot gets its own {}.
  2. constant({}). Closes over one object for every call.
  3. Shared risk. Mutating shared[0] also changes shared[1].
  4. Choose. Need isolation → stubObject; need one shared bag → constant.

Example 5 — stubObject vs stubArray

Same “fresh empty” idea for objects and arrays.

Lodash
_.stubObject();
// → {}

_.stubArray();
// → []

var arrays = _.times(2, _.stubArray);
arrays[0] === arrays[1];
// → false
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Object stub. Returns {}.
  2. Array stub. Returns [].
  3. Same rule. Each call is a new container.
  4. Pick. Match the empty structure your API expects.
Compatibility

Browser & Runtime Support

_.stubObject is a Lodash Util helper since 4.13.0. It runs anywhere Lodash 4.13+ runs — modern browsers (CDN or bundle) and Node.js / Bun / Deno with npm install lodash.

✓ Stable · Lodash 4.13.0+

_.stubObject()

Available in [email protected] full builds and the lodash/stubObject modular import. Works in evergreen browsers and current Node LTS when Lodash ≥ 4.13 is installed.

100% With Lodash 4.13+
Google Chrome Supported · Desktop & Mobile
Full support
Mozilla Firefox Supported · Desktop & Mobile
Full support
Apple Safari Supported · macOS & iOS
Full support
Microsoft Edge Supported · Chromium
Full support
Internet Explorer No native support · Use a polyfill
Polyfill
Opera Supported · Modern versions
Full support
Samsung Internet Supported · Android
Full support
Bun Supported · JavaScript runtime
Supported
Deno Supported · JavaScript runtime
Supported
Node.js Supported · Server runtime
Supported
Android WebView Supported · Modern WebView
Full support
_.stubObject Lodash 4.13.0+

Bottom line: Safe for production once Lodash 4.13+ is loaded. Prefer import stubObject from "lodash/stubObject" for smaller bundles. Use it when you need a fresh empty object per call.

Frequently Asked Questions

_.stubObject() returns a new empty object {} every time. Official: _.times(2, _.stubObject) → [{}, {}] and objects[0] === objects[1] is false.
No. Each call allocates a fresh {}. Mutating one result does not change another.
_.constant({}) always returns the same object reference. stubObject returns a new {} per call — safer as a factory.
No. Arguments are ignored. _.stubObject({ a: 1 }) still returns a new empty object.
As a default-object factory, with _.times to build many empty buckets, or anywhere an API needs a fresh {} callback.
Use import stubObject from "lodash/stubObject" or require("lodash/stubObject"). Full build: import _ from "lodash" then _.stubObject.

Next: _.stubString()

Return an empty string on every call.

_.stubString() tutorial →

About the author

Mari Selvan M P
Mari Selvan M P 🔗

Developer, cloud engineer, and technical writer

  • Experience 12 years building web and cloud systems
  • Focus Full Stack Development, AWS, and Developer Education

I write practical tutorials so students and working developers can learn by doing—from databases and APIs to deployment on AWS.

AWS Certified Developer – Associate (Credly)

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