as in worry
disapproving
worried talk or behavior
There has been a lot of silly hand-wringing over the latest hike in interest rates.
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Recent Examples of hand-wringing
There’s obviously a lot of hand-wringing around climbing losing its soul.
—
Outside, 23 Feb. 2026
The economic potential is real, but the hand-wringing is overblown.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2026
Silver’s success has also sparked a hand-wringing on social media where users are posting sardonic memes about Bitcoin’s stumbles.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Despite all the hand-wringing about tampering, the NCAA rulebook classifies it as a Level II violation, not Level I, which usually results in minor penalties.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Beyond music, the creation of a lifelike AI actress named Tilly Norwood has sparked similarly existential hand-wringing across Hollywood.
—Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 21 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
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
Outside, 23 Feb. 2026
The economic potential is real, but the hand-wringing is overblown.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2026
Silver’s success has also sparked a hand-wringing on social media where users are posting sardonic memes about Bitcoin’s stumbles.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Despite all the hand-wringing about tampering, the NCAA rulebook classifies it as a Level II violation, not Level I, which usually results in minor penalties.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Beyond music, the creation of a lifelike AI actress named Tilly Norwood has sparked similarly existential hand-wringing across Hollywood.
—Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 21 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand-wringing
Noun
-
Another couple moved their entire wedding into a massive underground garage, where hundreds of celebrants could party worry-free.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
-
So there was just a lot of worry about whether or not these would continue to be positioned correctly in the market.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Accessibility With ramps down to the entrance, two elevators serving all floors, and wide corridors, this hotel is easily traversable for those in wheelchairs or with mobility concerns.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The letter also raised concerns about foreign investment in Paramount’s offer, noting that the deal included potential financing from Chinese company Tencent Holdings, which had previously withdrawn funding due to national security review concerns.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Still, the broader bond rout reflects anxiety about the global economy after crude oil surged toward $120 a barrel, up almost 80% since the Iran war began and disrupted shipments from the Middle East.—
Marcus Wong,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Studies have shown a correlation between heavy digital dependence and mental health challenges including depression, anxiety and stress.—
Karen Garcia,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung warned against hoarding, panic buying and collusion between refiners and gas stations.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Traders are shunning debt as oil extends its surge past $100, triggering broad panic in Asia over commodity import costs.—
Bloomberg News,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Experiencing that joy and anguish can be beneficial for this still-developing group.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Cue awe-inspiring action sequences, gory battles and mental anguish that pushes Ritchson, er, 81, to his physical limits.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Israeli strikes on Iranian oil fields and Iranian drone attacks elsewhere have forced production to slow or halt, while shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed over fear of vessels being targeted by Tehran.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Traders amped up bets on European Central Bank and Bank of England interest-rate hikes after soaring energy prices fueled fears inflation will surge.—
James Hirai,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Those unseen spaces have a kind of electrical charge, the power of bonds and conflicts, of underlying tensions and demands.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Friends later told police that tensions had been growing within the group.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This day in sports history 1943 — Eddie Dancker banks in a desperation 25-foot hook shot from the corner to give Sheboygan a 30-29 win over Fort Wayne and the National Basketball League crown.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
What is beauty if not precisely the property that provokes us to abandon all pretense of analytic remove in our desperation to draw closer?—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hand-wringing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-wringing. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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