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
Multiple videos also show a federal agent in a gray jacket reaching into the scuffle empty-handed and emerging with a gun in his right hand, turning away from the man when the first shot is fired, then running across the street as more shots are fired.
—
Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
The Nets aren’t walking into this stretch empty-handed.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
The film was nominated for several Golden Globes, including a historic repeat nomination for Erivo, but ultimately went home empty-handed.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
The United States departs empty-handed.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for empty-handed
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Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
The Nets aren’t walking into this stretch empty-handed.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
The film was nominated for several Golden Globes, including a historic repeat nomination for Erivo, but ultimately went home empty-handed.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
The United States departs empty-handed.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 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 3 Feb. 2026.
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