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
Aydin Provost didn’t walk away empty-handed from playing basketball for Mount Carmel.
—
Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
The dolphins scattered and the men returned empty-handed.
—Prianka Srinivasan Matthew Abbott, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
While the troubled test capsule manufactured by Boeing for NASA missions returned to Earth empty-handed, its crew had no choice but to remain for a few more months at the orbital laboratory.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
However, Sentamu showed up empty-handed without the items despite his ex returning his items, per a January 2025 Metropolitan Police news release.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for empty-handed
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.
Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
The dolphins scattered and the men returned empty-handed.
—Prianka Srinivasan Matthew Abbott, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
While the troubled test capsule manufactured by Boeing for NASA missions returned to Earth empty-handed, its crew had no choice but to remain for a few more months at the orbital laboratory.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
However, Sentamu showed up empty-handed without the items despite his ex returning his items, per a January 2025 Metropolitan Police news release.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 17 Mar. 2025
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 4 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share