COMING UP EMPTY Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

coming up empty

phrase

present participle of come up empty

as in failing

to be unsuccessful We searched for a viable candidate but came up empty.

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for coming up empty

Phrase

The final found of pre-election polls in Israel last week showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu falling short of a clear victory in the October 27 election.

— Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2026
Based on this, today’s report concludes that global climate pledges are falling short.

— Simmone Shah, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of falling short

Phrase

Ohioans are getting bombarded with Republican ads on tax cuts, but the message is falling flat with many voters who feel the weight of higher prices.

— Jarrell Dillard, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2026
This season has been pockmarked by teams winning big games and falling flat the next; Indiana has to go to Michigan next week to try and buck that trend.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of falling flat

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coming up

coming up empty

coming up with

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“Coming up empty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coming%20up%20empty. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of coming up empty

phrase

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