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
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won his second consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player award on Sunday, but his teammates didn’t walk away empty-handed.
—
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 May 2026
The Royals came up empty-handed.
—Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026
Luckily for the rest of the golfers, not everyone goes home empty-handed.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
Bumper-to-bumper traffic continued to line the surrounding streets, and scores of people were turned away empty-handed.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for empty-handed
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Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 May 2026
The Royals came up empty-handed.
—Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026
Luckily for the rest of the golfers, not everyone goes home empty-handed.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
Bumper-to-bumper traffic continued to line the surrounding streets, and scores of people were turned away empty-handed.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 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 23 May. 2026.
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