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

With a chance to complete a series sweep of the moribund Tigers and gain ground in the American League wild-card race, the Twins instead headed home empty-handed. — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

The Yogi restaurant and bar in Porto Tolle on the Po Delta is an exception, having fully embraced the blue crab out of passion and necessity — finding themselves empty-handed after the invasion. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026

The city still fared better than the rest of the region, including Arizona, where its office of tourism spent $200,000 to lure Michelin to the state, according to the Phoenix New Times, but came up empty-handed. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 27 Aug. 2026

They would have been averted if the two sides reached a trade deal, but Canada's negotiators left Washington empty-handed on Friday evening. — Kevin Breuninger,michael Wayland, CNBC, 24 Aug. 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