: an overwrought expression of concern or guilt
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.
There was a fair bit of hand-wringing entering Tuesday’s contest about where or if Jeff Skinner fit into the equation. Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024 While hand-wringing Democrats and the media have focused on President Biden, Donald Trump met with Viktor Orban, the Hungarian prime minister. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 18 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near hand-wringing

Cite this Entry

“Hand-wringing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand-wringing. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.

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