handwringing
Americannoun
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a physical expression of concern, distress, or guilt.
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the nervous grasping or squeezing of the hands as a sign of these feelings.
Other Word Forms
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And it didn’t sound like there was much handwringing about it.
From Slate • Jan. 26, 2026
"He didn't let US government clucking and handwringing stop him," says Robert Carlin.
From BBC • Jan. 10, 2025
In some quarters, the pace of change and the dangers of runaway AI, as seen in dystopian movies, have produced intense handwringing.
From Washington Times • Dec. 27, 2023
As evidenced by the writers’ strike, the Oscar and Emmy races, the water-cooler conversation, even the handwringing over the broader economy, streaming is no longer the future of Hollywood.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2023
After some pre-show handwringing that included cancelling a planned performance by Ye due to some of his concerning online behavior.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 4, 2022
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
