empty-handed

[emp-tee-han-did] / ˈɛmp tiˈhæn dɪd /

ADJECTIVE

necessitous

Synonyms

WEAK

bad off bankrupt beggared beggarly behind the eight ball broke destitute dirt poor down-and-out flat flat broke fortuneless hard up impecunious impoverished in need in want indigent insolvent low meager moneyless needy on one's uppers pauperized penniless penurious pinched poverty-stricken reduced scanty stone broke strapped suffering truly needy underprivileged unprosperous

ADJECTIVE

poor

Synonyms

STRONGEST

destitute impoverished indigent low meager needy penniless poverty-stricken underprivileged

STRONG

bankrupt down-and-out flat insolvent scanty suffering

WEAK

bad off beggared beggarly behind the eight ball broke dirt poor flat broke fortuneless hard up impecunious in need in want moneyless necessitous pauperized penurious pinched reduced stone broke strapped truly needy unprosperous

Antonyms

STRONGEST

affluent prosperous rich wealthy well-to-do

STRONG

comfortable fortunate solvent

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

With few job opportunities in the city, residents hope for a prized find to improve their fortunes - but most come up empty-handed.

From BBC

As lively as Leeds were, they still ended up empty-handed, however, and it means they really need something here.

From BBC

"We came here fired up to do much more than go home empty-handed."

From Barron's

They reappeared shortly, with muddy hands and knees, breathless and excited to be sure, but empty-handed.

From Literature

Fights broke out over inventory, and many coffee lovers left empty-handed.

From The Wall Street Journal