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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 New baby 3, fifth draft… In between, much hand-wringing, catastrophising, drinking of wine, learning of nursery rhymes. — Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026 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 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
  • Yields have been on the rise because of worries about inflation, big debt loads for governments worldwide and other factors.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
  • This is meant to address worries that frequent fast charging might shorten battery life.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of worry
Noun
  • Plan for the content of the meeting, including the objections, concerns and reservations people may bring.
    — Inga Bielińska, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Sure, Mahomes did enough Monday night to dispel any concerns about a drop-off in his game.
    — Mike Jones, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of concern
Noun
  • Plus, the recent detention of several Haitian pastors by immigration authorities is fueling even more anxiety among congregants.
    — Lauren Costantino September 19, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Given the characters’ extreme situation, black humor also feels natural—a way of protecting themselves from anxiety and fear.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of anxiety
Noun
  • Advanced signs include anxiety, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, extreme thirst paired with panic at the sight of fluids, heavy saliva and aggressive thrashing or biting.
    — The Sacramento Bee staff, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • An influencer who’d been posing in a sports bra and very short shorts sprinted past us in a panic, trailed by some poor guy juggling way too much camera gear and a frantically barking Chihuahua.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of panic
Noun
  • The organization said the discoveries had deepened the anguish of families searching for loved ones.
    — Mogomotsi Magome, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Their mental anguish, out-of-pocket expenses, the time caregivers devote to their work, the wages lost from forgone work — all create spectacular costs for America’s families.
    — Jason Karlawish, STAT, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of anguish
Noun
  • Lawrence has widened his aim to the entire AI industry, calling for a pause on AI development in the wake of fears from some at the companies that the technology could eliminate humanity.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Feldstein’s arrest was kept under a sweeping gag order, for fear that disclosing it would compromise Israeli intelligence, but the Haaretz reporter Bar Peleg soon learned of it.
    — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of fear
Noun
  • Gael is herself a little nervous, not only about the tension but about leaving Kayden.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
  • There had always been tensions among American Jews, and these, in Texas, had a specific character.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of tension
Noun
  • And since Bob hasn’t managed to elevate his station in the last 26 years, suffering the indignity of dealing with a much younger boss (Blake Anderson), his desperation is understandable.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
  • But their primitive way of living reveals itself to rather more devastating effect when their third child is born, and Inger commits an act of unthinkable desperation.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of desperation

Browse Nearby Words

handwringers
hand-wringing
handwriting
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Cite this Entry

“Hand-wringing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-wringing. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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