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
The quality weather alleviated the hand-wringing about the rain during the buildup to kickoff.
—
The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
So much for all that hand-wringing.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
Here is why hand-wringing should remain tempered.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 Dec. 2025
There has been much hand-wringing lately about the future of Apple’s senior leadership team as its chief executive and his loyal lieutenants approach traditional retirement age.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2025
In the book’s introduction, Kaplan does a bit of perfunctory hand-wringing about the state of the country, arguing that Decca is a model for how to generate empathy in a time of polarization.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
All the recent obituaries for videos are premature, just as all the hand-wringing over the decline of MTV seems extremely postmature.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 16 Nov. 2025
Back when the film was released and first became a hit, there was no small part of hand-wringing around Hollywood that Coogler’s deal would set a bad precedent for the studios on a long-term basis.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025
The annual hand-wringing around whether New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone should be fired is already under way, but that won’t be decided for weeks as the club’s management takes a breath and grieves the club’s latest playoff exit.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 12 Oct. 2025
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The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
So much for all that hand-wringing.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
Here is why hand-wringing should remain tempered.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 Dec. 2025
There has been much hand-wringing lately about the future of Apple’s senior leadership team as its chief executive and his loyal lieutenants approach traditional retirement age.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2025
In the book’s introduction, Kaplan does a bit of perfunctory hand-wringing about the state of the country, arguing that Decca is a model for how to generate empathy in a time of polarization.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
All the recent obituaries for videos are premature, just as all the hand-wringing over the decline of MTV seems extremely postmature.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 16 Nov. 2025
Back when the film was released and first became a hit, there was no small part of hand-wringing around Hollywood that Coogler’s deal would set a bad precedent for the studios on a long-term basis.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025
The annual hand-wringing around whether New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone should be fired is already under way, but that won’t be decided for weeks as the club’s management takes a breath and grieves the club’s latest playoff exit.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hand-wringing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand-wringing. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
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