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 This has no relevance to anything, but Malcolm’s hand-wringing about the cat’s mental health is just so revealing there. — Merve Emre, The New York Review of Books, 11 Aug. 2026 Deployment is no longer the constraint, and that is a real accomplishment that gets lost in the ROI hand-wringing. — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Instead, the Democratic Party is left with much hand-wringing ahead of November's midterm elections and growing calls for the party's executive leader to step down. — Michel Martin, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026 Their relatively easy approval was a stark contrast to the hand-wringing at the Chicago City Council over Mayor Brandon Johnson’s transit appointments, which ultimately passed after objections over their direct introductions in committee. — A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hand-wringing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand-wringing

Noun

Oil prices edged higher Thursday as worries over escalating tensions in the Middle East and their impact on energy supplies kept Brent crude above $100 a barrel.

— Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
That worsened inflation worries and cranked up pressure in the bond market, helping send stocks lower again on Wall Street.

— Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of worry

Noun

My personal concern is especially based on the fact that their huge need for additional electricity generation could very well ruin our ability to reduce carbon emissions and avoid a climate crisis.

— Martin Kushler, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026
A lot of our compliance metrics are driven around the concern for health and safety.

— Tim Graham, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of concern

Noun

The rattle of a bride’s gold earring or the rasp of straightener steam through a bride’s hair takes on a panic-inducingly eerie quality thanks to Marie-Clotilde Chery’s chilling sound design.

— Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2026
Plenkovic has accused his political opponents of fueling panic for political gain.

— Darko Bandic, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of panic

Noun

Still, even on video, Davis doesn’t appear wracked with guilt or anguish about the possibility of spending the rest of his life in the Nevada penitentiary system.

— Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
One day, Cole paged through an album whose acidic glues caused her particular anguish.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of anguish

Noun

Experts say cartels use car bombs to intimidate rivals and authorities, pressure the government and spread fear among civilians.

— María Verza, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
At each turn, a heartbreaking picture comes into sharper focus, underscoring Ricki’s destructive appetite that exploits Rita’s deepest needs and fears under the guise of friendship and no-judgement sisterhood.

— Tomris Laffly, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of fear

Noun

In a time of strained Spanish-American relations, Kuss is doing his part in easing diplomatic tensions.

— Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
When Jenn and Emily return, Shannon tries to cut the tension by talking about jarred pizza sauce (the only real laugh-out-loud moment of the episode), but there’s no salvaging this night.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of tension

Noun

There would be anguish and desperation and worry and guilt for sure.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Swapping dirty fingernails for loose shotgun shells, Abrams carves Bryan from the same gnarled sense of desperation — but gives the character’s spirit a kinder shade overall.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of desperation

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hand-wringing

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“Hand-wringing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-wringing. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hand-wringing

noun

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