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
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.
"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
The sudden underperformance by Europe’s largest economy has set off a wave of criticism, handwringing and debate about the way forward.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 18, 2023
“In a landslide election, there’s no handwringing about what minor changes might have made a difference.”
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2022
Rumors about kids and teens participating in deadly fads have been fueling handwringing news coverage for decades, though social media seems to be putting these panics into over drive.
From Slate • Dec. 18, 2021
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.
