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. — 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 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

Still, people living near the border say the possibility of Belarus becoming more involved in Russia’s war remains a source of anxiety.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Psychological symptoms like anxiety, irritability and depression often show up before physical ones, peaking between ages 41 and 45.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2026

Definition of anxiety

Noun

There isn’t at the moment, and that is leading to eye-popping unaffordability for renters (not historically the case in Chicago, unlike New York), which is causing panic and leading to all of these calls for more regulations.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
As dog owners, few things trigger a spike of panic like watching your pup bolt into the brush and realizing your phone has dropped to zero bars.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 July 2026

Definition of panic

Noun

Saturn stations retrograde in your 12th House of Solitude, asking you to review rest, avoidance, private fears, and the habits that either restore you or keep you quietly overloaded.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
Taken the year after Till’s death, the climate remained highly dangerous for Black people, and Gordon wrote about his fear documenting the inequalities within the city.

— Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Definition of fear

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 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of hand-wringing

noun

Example Sentences

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