hand-wringing

noun

hand-wring·​ing ˈhand-ˌriŋ-iŋ 

: an overwrought expression of concern or guilt

a lot of hand-wringing over the state of the economy

handwringer noun

Examples of hand-wringing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Would all the hand-wringing about the price be moot after experiencing one? — Sara Lacey, The Drive, 25 June 2026

Signs of greater regulatory scrutiny in the country's semiconductor sector also added to the hand-wringing. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 23 June 2026

Signs of greater regulatory scrutiny in the country's semiconductor sector also added to the hand-wringing. — ABC News, 22 June 2026

Just this spring, from hand-wringing about the state of the league to, today, a finals that has everyone excited to tune in. — Dan Shanoff, New York Times, 3 June 2026

Normally, this time of year for Bay Area residents means blooms of orange poppies, graduation announcements and hand-wringing over the San Francisco Giants’ record. — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 26 May 2026

But this hand-wringing has led to little tangible reform. — Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 11 May 2026

And despite the offseason hand-wringing, baseball’s in a better spot than it’s been in decades. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026

Perhaps because of their rarity, aviation incidents (or near accidents) tend to generate headlines and hand-wringing. — Zach Wichter, USA Today, 4 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hand-wringing

• upbringing
• bringing
• clinging
• flinging
• hinging
• ringing
• singing
• slinging
• springing
• stinging
• stringing
• swinging