empty-handed

Adjective

emptyhanded (comparative more emptyhanded, superlative most emptyhanded)

1. With nothing in one's hands.
   • Near-synonyms: unburdened, unencumbered, unladen

   Synonyms:

   unburdened, unencumbered, unladen

   Antonyms:

   full-handed

2. Impoverished; having no money or resources.
   • As he walked about in the village, Isaac saw those inhabitants who had come to the Land emptyhanded and now own fields and vineyards and houses full of good things, not by virtue of observing the Torah and pious deeds, for the Biluim were free thinkers and their feet too are on the ground, but...2002, S. Y. Agnon, Only Yesterday, →ISBN, page 62

   Synonyms:

   almsless, arm, badly off, bankrupt, beggared, beggarly, boracic, broke, broken, broker than the Ten Commandments

   Antonyms:

   full-handed

3. Having nothing to offer.
   • I come to this conference bearing neither a new slogan nor a basket full of gifts. But I do not come emptyhanded. I come with the promise of the Government and people of the United States to work with you...1977, The Department of State Bulletin, page 576

   Antonyms:

   full-handed

4. Having received or acquired nothing.
   • Returning "emptyhanded" doesn't always mean that you didn't get what you set out for.1984, Field & Stream - Volume 89, page 26
5. Having nothing to offer; unable to give what was promised.
   • ...he promised to get concessions on container handling, and he cannot go to the dockers emptyhanded.1972, The Economist - Volume 244, page 59
6. Unarmed.
   • ...for he has come on an ambassage and he has come emptyhanded (not armed).1999, Hephzibah Jesudasan, G. John Samuel, P. Thiagarajan, Count-down from Solomon, Or, The Tamils Down the Ages Through Their Literature, →ISBN, page 211