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 so many big names in contention, at least one is almost guaranteed to go home empty-handed.
—
Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 28 Jan. 2025
With only O’Leary’s offer on the table, O’Dell chose to accept it, rather than negotiating or walking away empty-handed.
—Ryan Johnston, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025
The Bills were the last team to notch four consecutive Super Bowl appearances, from 1991 to 1994, but the team went home empty-handed each time.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025
These companies have weathered multiple hype cycles where applications fell short of expectations, leaving them empty-handed and increasingly skeptical.
—Shivangi Khurania, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
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Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 28 Jan. 2025
With only O’Leary’s offer on the table, O’Dell chose to accept it, rather than negotiating or walking away empty-handed.
—Ryan Johnston, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025
The Bills were the last team to notch four consecutive Super Bowl appearances, from 1991 to 1994, but the team went home empty-handed each time.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025
These companies have weathered multiple hype cycles where applications fell short of expectations, leaving them empty-handed and increasingly skeptical.
—Shivangi Khurania, Forbes, 24 Jan. 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 Feb. 2025.
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