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
In the afterglow of another win in the derby and a 16-point swing from this time last year, Milan may still end the season in the Champions League but empty-handed.
—
James Horncastle, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Like a fisherman left empty-handed after a heavy pull at her line, the woman sullenly took Sam’s picture.
—Nora Deligter, Curbed, 6 Mar. 2026
Host Gifts One of the pillars of Southern hosting hospitality is to never show up to somebody’s house empty-handed.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Josh Safdie and Timothée Chalamet’s Marty Supreme left this evening’s BAFTA Film Awards empty-handed after being shut out, following a healthy 11 nods at the nominations stage.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for empty-handed
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James Horncastle, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Like a fisherman left empty-handed after a heavy pull at her line, the woman sullenly took Sam’s picture.
—Nora Deligter, Curbed, 6 Mar. 2026
Host Gifts One of the pillars of Southern hosting hospitality is to never show up to somebody’s house empty-handed.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Josh Safdie and Timothée Chalamet’s Marty Supreme left this evening’s BAFTA Film Awards empty-handed after being shut out, following a healthy 11 nods at the nominations stage.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 22 Feb. 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 13 Mar. 2026.
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