hand-wringing

noun

hand-wring·​ing ˈhand-ˌriŋ-iŋ How to pronounce hand-wringing (audio)
Synonyms of hand-wringingnext
: an overwrought expression of concern or guilt
a lot of hand-wringing over the state of the economy
handwringer noun

Examples of hand-wringing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Ocasio-Cortez’s choice to share her egg-freezing publicly has kicked off furious debate and confused hand-wringing among conservatives. — Anna Russell, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for hand-wringing

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hand-wringing was in 1839

Rhymes for hand-wringing

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Browse Nearby Words

handwoven
hand-wringing
handwrist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hand-wringing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand-wringing. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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