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

There have also been growing concerns that AI companies are propping each other up through a web of funding deals, with Nvidia at the heart of those worries.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Those worries came to a head after the May election rout, leading to Starmer’s fall and Burnham’s rise.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026

Definition of worry

Noun

The iPhone’s success, however, has satisfied some of those concerns for now, especially since Apple can partner with other companies like Google to use their AI models.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Anne Arundel County has said the safety concerns stemmed from unpermitted construction work in the building's underground parking garage.

— Drew Aunkst, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Definition of concern

Noun

The headlines often focus on uber-selective colleges and universities, the lengths students and parents will go to access them, and the parts of the process of applying that evoke the most anxiety.

— Brennan Barnard, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
One of the most dreadful packing pain points is the anxiety of whether everything will actually fit in your suitcase, which, thankfully, my Away Bigger Carry-on has eliminated.

— Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 1 Aug. 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

However, analyst Gavin Parsons highlighted that an acceleration in organic revenue growth would settle market fears.

— Assiatou Hann, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026
Herzog raised fears that the mayor’s rhetoric stokes hate against Jews, including in New York City, which holds the largest Jewish population of any city in the United States.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of fear

Noun

As tensions rise with the Sacramento County Office of Education, Sacramento City Unified is pressing ahead with a new fiscal sustainability plan aimed at avoiding insolvency and preserving local control.

— Chaewon Chung July 30, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
Shaw also noted tensions with immigration enforcement crackdowns happening near school campuses.

— Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026

Definition of tension

Noun

Driven by desperation, the migrants are gambling that the consequences of getting caught in Canada will outweigh the risks of remaining in the United States, the Mounties and human rights officials said.

— Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 29 July 2026
The mystery character, played by Sadie Sink, is also dealing with her own demons of loss and fatalistic desperation.

— Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of desperation

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hand-wringing

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“Hand-wringing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-wringing. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of hand-wringing

noun

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