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
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
India's trade minister traveled to Washington last week to negotiate exemptions, but walked away empty-handed.
—Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 13 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for empty-handed
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Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 17 Mar. 2025
India's trade minister traveled to Washington last week to negotiate exemptions, but walked away empty-handed.
—Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 13 Mar. 2025
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
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 24 Mar. 2025.
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