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
Either way, the Diamondbacks wouldn't walk away empty-handed.
—
Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
Despite record-breaking spending on pharmacy benefits in the U.S., tens of millions of Americans still walk away from the pharmacy counter empty-handed.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 25 July 2025
Many are walking for hours, waiting in crowds and dodging dangerous air strikes and gunfire — only to return empty-handed.
—Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
His formula: Randomly drop the flyer on social media, set a low enough price to get everyone to mentally buy into it, watch disappointed fans bemoan coming up empty-handed after waiting in the virtual queue, and prepare for who shows up for the party.
—Elise Brisco, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for empty-handed
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Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
Despite record-breaking spending on pharmacy benefits in the U.S., tens of millions of Americans still walk away from the pharmacy counter empty-handed.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 25 July 2025
Many are walking for hours, waiting in crowds and dodging dangerous air strikes and gunfire — only to return empty-handed.
—Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
His formula: Randomly drop the flyer on social media, set a low enough price to get everyone to mentally buy into it, watch disappointed fans bemoan coming up empty-handed after waiting in the virtual queue, and prepare for who shows up for the party.
—Elise Brisco, Rolling Stone, 24 July 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 3 Aug. 2025.
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