empty-handed

adjective

emp·​ty-hand·​ed ˌem(p)-tē-ˈhan-dəd How to pronounce empty-handed (audio)
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
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.
Murphy hopes the fundraiser will help ensure no family has to leave empty-handed. — Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 29 June 2026 No offers followed and Vukelich’s friends were similarly coming up empty-handed. — ABC News, 18 June 2026 Both women sought the DFL endorsement at the party’s county convention in April but agreed to walk away empty-handed after the first ballot following a virtual tie. — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 2 June 2026 As recent South Florida pileups have shown, disputes over who started a wreck can become the entire legal fight when a 51% fault-finding means the difference between compensation and walking away empty-handed. — Matthew Kayser, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for empty-handed

Word History

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of empty-handed was in 1549

Rhymes for empty-handed

See All Rhymes for empty-handed

Browse Nearby Words

empty glume
empty-handed
empty-headed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Empty-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empty-handed. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

empty-handed

adjective
emp·​ty-hand·​ed
ˌem(p)-tē-ˈhan-dəd
1
: having nothing in the hands
2
: having acquired or gained nothing
came back empty-handed

More from Merriam-Webster on empty-handed

Nglish: Translation of empty-handed for Spanish Speakers

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