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 argument here is that if too many people feel comfortable showing up empty-handed, the potluck won’t be much of a meal at all.
—
Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025
The Academy Award went to Poor Things, which was up for two of the guild’s awards but went home empty-handed.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2025
The Tigers recovered a muffed punt toward the end of the first half but came up empty-handed after Oliver Robbins missed a 42-yard field-goal attempt.
—Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 28 Dec. 2025
Arriving empty-handed, leaving messes behind, being hours late — behaviors like these reflect obliviousness or busyness at best, or selfishness or entitlement at worst.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for empty-handed
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Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025
The Academy Award went to Poor Things, which was up for two of the guild’s awards but went home empty-handed.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2025
The Tigers recovered a muffed punt toward the end of the first half but came up empty-handed after Oliver Robbins missed a 42-yard field-goal attempt.
—Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 28 Dec. 2025
Arriving empty-handed, leaving messes behind, being hours late — behaviors like these reflect obliviousness or busyness at best, or selfishness or entitlement at worst.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 25 Dec. 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 6 Jan. 2026.
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