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
The restaurant, which is locally owned, provides some games for those who come empty-handed, and there is a pool table to stretch your arms and legs after a long gaming session.
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The Denver Post, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
When a company files for bankruptcy, it’s not automatically required to honor gift cards, sometimes leaving consumers empty-handed.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 2026
During the week-long search, investigators turned over 10,000 tons of soil and came up empty-handed.
—Makena Gera, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026
His sons Jacopo and Pietro looked everywhere but came up empty-handed.
—Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for empty-handed
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The Denver Post, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
When a company files for bankruptcy, it’s not automatically required to honor gift cards, sometimes leaving consumers empty-handed.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 2026
During the week-long search, investigators turned over 10,000 tons of soil and came up empty-handed.
—Makena Gera, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026
His sons Jacopo and Pietro looked everywhere but came up empty-handed.
—Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 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 14 Jan. 2026.
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