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coming up empty

phrase

present participle of come up empty
as in failing
to be unsuccessful We searched for a viable candidate but came up empty.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for coming up empty
  1. falling short
  2. falling flat
Phrase
  • Where are performance, culture, leadership or team dynamics falling short?
    — Dr. Jay R. Harrison, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Despite falling short in a marquee matchup, all of the Horned Frogs’ goals remain within reach.
    — Neil Nakahodo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of falling short
Phrase
  • The resilient fill bounces back night after night, maintaining its shape without falling flat.
    — V BRAND STORIES, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But the execution was dead on arrival, with the whole thing falling flat on its face.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of falling flat
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

coming up
coming up empty
coming up with
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coming up empty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coming%20up%20empty. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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