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 legendary songwriter, 68, who was nominated — and lost — for the 16th time at the 2025 Academy Awards revealed that going home empty-handed again won't stop her from trying to bring home a gold statue in the future.
—
Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
With two international contenders in the best picture race this year, one was bound to leave Oscar night empty-handed.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 3 Mar. 2025
The movie shockingly left the Golden Globes empty-handed.
—Kyndall Cunningham, Vox, 3 Mar. 2025
Emilia Pérez led all nominees going into the 97th Academy Awards in Los Angeles but nearly left the ceremony empty-handed.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
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Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
With two international contenders in the best picture race this year, one was bound to leave Oscar night empty-handed.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 3 Mar. 2025
The movie shockingly left the Golden Globes empty-handed.
—Kyndall Cunningham, Vox, 3 Mar. 2025
Emilia Pérez led all nominees going into the 97th Academy Awards in Los Angeles but nearly left the ceremony empty-handed.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for empty-handed
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Cite this Entry
“Empty-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empty-handed. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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