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
Even if the team manages to score the maximum 59 points available during the sprint weekend and McLaren walks away empty-handed, Ferrari would head to Abu Dhabi with a 35-point lead.
—
Yara Elshebiny, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
Myka Meier, Founder and Director, Beaumont Etiquette Coming empty-handed and not offering to bring something or contribute if you are being hosted would be the biggest Thanksgiving faux pas, as the holiday is about thankfulness, togetherness and community.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
Best Home Gifts Under $50 Don’t show up empty-handed at holiday gatherings.
—Ali Faccenda, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024
More:Don’t show up empty-handed—find the ideal hostess gift for the holidays here
When is Black Friday 2024?
—Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024
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.
Yara Elshebiny, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
Myka Meier, Founder and Director, Beaumont Etiquette Coming empty-handed and not offering to bring something or contribute if you are being hosted would be the biggest Thanksgiving faux pas, as the holiday is about thankfulness, togetherness and community.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
Best Home Gifts Under $50 Don’t show up empty-handed at holiday gatherings.
—Ali Faccenda, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024
More:Don’t show up empty-handed—find the ideal hostess gift for the holidays here
When is Black Friday 2024?
—Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for empty-handed
Articles Related to empty-handed
Dictionary Entries Near empty-handed
Cite this Entry
“Empty-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empty-handed. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share