HAND-WRINGINGS Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

hand-wringing

noun

Definition of hand-wringing

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of hand-wringing 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 Many of the hand-wringing pieces written at the 2014 World Cup were in the English language, as is this article. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hand-wringing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand-wringing

Noun

After two years living in an RV at San Jose’s Columbus Park, Fernando Vilchis Alcantara eagerly accepted a spot at a motel the city converted into a homeless shelter, relieved to be free of the constant worry of being ticketed or towed.

— Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
They’re not allowed to print money, so our worries shift from the asset class itself to the specifics of the issuer.

— Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of worry

Noun

His instinctive reaction, tearful after losing another final, was to throw in the towel, to announce his career with Argentina was over at the age of 29, to focus on his club career, which by comparison brought him so much joy and so little anxiety.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Because of their history of poor sleep, people with insomnia may suffer from anxiety about getting inadequate sleep, which can then increase sleeplessness at night.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 18, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2026

Definition of anxiety

Noun

The Red Sox have surged without their injured ace, Garrett Crochet, who last pitched on April 25, the day Breslow fired manager Alex Cora and five coaches in a panic move, power play or, perhaps, a prescient vision of what a change could mean.

— Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Mediation may yet come back into focus if oil markets panic and the price of crude returns above $100 on the back of shrinking reserves worldwide.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

Definition of panic

Noun

Yet, outside the excellently claustrophobic Trojan Horse scenes, Nolan is more interested in exploring his anguish than his spoils.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Your mind fills with all the defeats; all the anguish of mistakes made and opportunities missed.

— Kristine Fischer, Outdoor Life, 16 July 2026

Definition of anguish

Noun

Once their ships turned away, the tension dramatically decreased, though hours later China Coast Guard ships could be seen in the distance still shadowing the Philippine vessels.

— Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Eventually, Armstrong stepped in to try and personally ease tensions, offering himself as Caneer’s direct point of contact and paying a peace visit to Caneer’s home in Pebble Beach bearing a gift basket of beef jerky, olive oil and wine.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of tension

Noun

Lama, 28 years old, softspoken and shy, walks quietly among them, equal parts desperation and dread.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
The heaps of body horror and gritty special effects definitely helped, on top of a breakout performance from Sharlto Copley who conveyed a palpable sense of desperation.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 23 July 2026

Definition of desperation

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handwringers

hand-wringing

handwriting

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“Hand-wringing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-wringing. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of hand-wringing

noun

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