empty-handed
adjective
emp·ty-hand·ed
ˌem(p)-tē-ˈhan-dəd 
1
: having or bringing nothing
2
: having acquired or gained nothing
came back empty-handed
Examples of empty-handed in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In a blink, the inning ended and the Giants were empty-handed.
—
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
Greer left empty-handed, frustrated by the meeting’s failure to produce any concrete outcomes.
—Inu Manak, Time, 27 May 2026
Taylor Swift walked away empty-handed at the American Music Awards after entering the night as the show's leading nominee with eight nods.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 26 May 2026
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won his second consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player award on Sunday, but his teammates didn’t walk away empty-handed.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for empty-handed
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Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
Greer left empty-handed, frustrated by the meeting’s failure to produce any concrete outcomes.
—Inu Manak, Time, 27 May 2026
Taylor Swift walked away empty-handed at the American Music Awards after entering the night as the show's leading nominee with eight nods.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 26 May 2026
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won his second consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player award on Sunday, but his teammates didn’t walk away empty-handed.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for empty-handed
Cite this Entry
“Empty-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empty-handed. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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