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 days of counterfeit printouts are—thank heavens—largely behind us, but fans are still often left empty-handed on game days or arrive to find seats that were not as good as advertised.
—
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Zelensky walked away empty-handed.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Many customers were left empty-handed after waiting for hours outside their local coffee chain for the seasonal product.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Unfortunately, the launch of the Bearista cup didn’t go as expected, with merchandise shortages nationwide and physical altercations breaking out at some locations, leaving many customers empty-handed.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for empty-handed
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Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Zelensky walked away empty-handed.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Many customers were left empty-handed after waiting for hours outside their local coffee chain for the seasonal product.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Unfortunately, the launch of the Bearista cup didn’t go as expected, with merchandise shortages nationwide and physical altercations breaking out at some locations, leaving many customers empty-handed.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Nov. 2025
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 16 Nov. 2025.
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