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 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 Normally, this time of year for Bay Area residents means blooms of orange poppies, graduation announcements and hand-wringing over the San Francisco Giants’ record. — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 26 May 2026 But this hand-wringing has led to little tangible reform. — Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hand-wringing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand-wringing

Noun

Trustee Robert Jones renewed his worries that the creation of a subdivision of only the Sacramento and Yolo County portions of the district in April excluded conservative voters in El Dorado County who would likely to vote against the bond measure.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Both relatively tolerant, despite the mothers’ initial worries about outsiders, the households mirror one another.

— Judy Berman, Time, 9 July 2026

Definition of worry

Noun

Broglio also hopes that athletes learn to look for symptoms such as anxiety, depression and cognitive issues, because many are very treatable.

— Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 12 July 2026
Researchers and psychologists agree that this feeling can fuel anxiety, dissatisfaction, and a constant need to stay connected, for fear of missing an opportunity, an event, or an experience.

— Ana Morales, Vogue, 11 July 2026

Definition of anxiety

Noun

Andrade said the absence of an official passenger manifest deepened the anguish of dozens of families awaiting the arrival of Flight 164.

— Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026
The series depicts the anguish of an interrupted boyhood and the awakening of a child’s conscience as their safest spaces erode.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 July 2026

Definition of anguish

Noun

When a massive Sonoma Coast residential development pitch sparked fears that beach access would be lost.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
While adults like Osul are looking for ways to rebuild their own lives, children are learning to live with fear, grief, uncertainty – and how to make sense of the tragedy.

— Osmary Hernández, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

Definition of fear

Noun

Its shuttering, alongside other long-standing landmarks like Taix restaurant, underscores Echo Park’s growing tension between new development and preserving neighborhood character.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Now, with countries around the world focusing on building sovereign satellite networks, amid geopolitical tensions, a UAE company is working to mass manufacture commercial satellites.

— Amy Gunia, CNN Money, 9 July 2026

Definition of tension

Noun

Many anecdotes are from people who tried more conventional medicine for digestive issues and, from a place of desperation, decided to look elsewhere for solutions.

— Shelby Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Moreover, the series unpacks the heartwrenching realities of social inequity and how desperation can transform into shocking acts of violence.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 July 2026

Definition of desperation

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handwringers

hand-wringing

handwriting

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Style

“Hand-wringing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-wringing. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of hand-wringing

noun

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