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.
The main focus of all the handwringing was, of course, the love triangle between Dawson, Joey and Pacey.
From BBC ● Feb. 12, 2026
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
Moscow’s handwringing comes as Ukrainian forces shift the parameters of the war with brazen drone strikes on military bases deep inside Russia.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 14, 2022
“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.
