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

As recent South Florida pileups have shown, disputes over who started a wreck can become the entire legal fight when a 51% fault-finding means the difference between compensation and walking away empty-handed. — Matthew Kayser, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026

Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, which is aligned with Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned one of its top negotiators, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, against going to the talks empty-handed. — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 21 June 2026

Bettors who sided with Jenner left the big game empty-handed, while those who put their money on the Seahawks — including her ex-boyfriend, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, who, yes, sustained major losses during their relationship — took home payouts. — Danielle Directo-Meston, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2026

No offers followed and Vukelich’s friends were similarly coming up empty-handed. — ABC News, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for empty-handed

• countermanded
• evenhanded
• reprimanded
• underhanded
• backhanded
• commanded
• demanded
• disbanded
• expanded
• misbranded
• remanded
• unbranded

Kids Definition

empty-handed

adjective

emp·​ty-hand·​ed

ˌem(p)-tē-ˈhan-dəd

1

: having nothing in the hands

2

: having acquired or gained nothing

came back empty-handed