hand-wringing

noun

Definition of hand-wringingnext
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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Example Sentences

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 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 There has been a lot of hand-wringing about the declining population of Los Angeles County, which lost 54,000 people from July 2024 to July 2025, the biggest numeric population drop in the nation during that period, by far. — Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 The lack of hand-wringing from outside legacy media may indicate a bigger shift. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hand-wringing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand-wringing
  1. worry
  2. concern
  3. anxiety
  4. panic
  5. anguish
  6. fear
  7. tension
  8. desperation
Noun
  • In recent weeks, family members of Lincoln service members voiced worries about deteriorating mental health conditions aboard the ship, as well as sanitary conditions and food shortages.
    — Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • That reflects how the world's second-largest economy remains insulated from global capital markets — and faces a deflationary environment, in contrast to inflation worries elsewhere.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of worry
Noun
  • The Lincoln has been at sea for an extended deployment during the Iran war, which sparked concerns among lawmakers and military families after reports of the crew’s worsening mental health and conditions aboard.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In Utah, training starts with the basics of how AI works to teach an understanding of AI bias, hallucinations, ethical concerns and data privacy needs, Winters said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of concern
Noun
  • Now, as my anxiety climbed, the smell was becoming inseparable from the fear.
    — Ledio Cakaj, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026
  • After years of stomach-gurgling, nail-chewing anxiety, this was an entirely different Arsenal experience.
    — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of anxiety
Noun
  • The move set off a panic rush for tax and legal advice, and a scramble for cash to meet the bill.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Yohanna Embu, who lives in Sikka, said people ran in a panic to higher ground.
    — Yacob Herin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of panic
Noun
  • There is no dramatic farewell; instead, the moment is marked by Singer’s silent anguish.
    — Billy J. Stratton, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The 62-year-old left a note in a Boeing notebook, describing his mental anguish.
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of anguish
Noun
  • The frenzy followed Beijing’s decision in the mid-1980s to ban imports of almost all blood products – except human albumin – amid growing fears over the global HIV/AIDS crisis.
    — CNN Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Now, as my anxiety climbed, the smell was becoming inseparable from the fear.
    — Ledio Cakaj, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of fear
Noun
  • Although much of the media attention on Harry and Meghan has focused on family tensions and recriminations in recent years, Owens suggested that the story may now shift to the royal’s efforts to rebuild family harmony.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The visit followed weeks of negotiations about security and accommodations, which hinted at ongoing tensions.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of tension
Noun
  • But in his desperation to find a Russian pressure point that could restart the peace process, Zelensky allowed preparations for the strikes to continue for several months this spring and early summer, both sources said.
    — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Mac Ghlionn paints a picture of desperation whereby the 65+ cohort must work to pay the bills, but the happier reality is that this is not your grandfather's 65.
    — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of desperation

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Cite this Entry

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

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