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Meaning & use

hand-wringing

noun·Advanceddisapproving

Last updated

UK/ˈhænd ˌrɪŋɪŋ/
US/ˈhænd ˌrɪŋɪŋ/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meaning

  1. noununcountabledisapproving

    a lot of worry, guilt, or anxious discussion that often does not lead to action

    Grammar: Uncountable: there was hand-wringing, not a hand-wringing. Often followed by about or over.

    Patterns

    • hand-wringing about something
    • hand-wringing over something
    • there was hand-wringing

    There was much hand-wringing in the press about the team's poor performance.

    After the scandal, the company's hand-wringing did little to reassure customers.

    The report criticizes years of official hand-wringing without real reform.

Common combinations

much hand-wringing
There was much hand-wringing but no change in policy.
hand-wringing over
The hand-wringing over the decision lasted for weeks.
public hand-wringing
Public hand-wringing is no substitute for action.

Synonyms and how they differ

anguish
Anguish is deep personal suffering; hand-wringing is often public and may seem excessive.
fretting
Fretting is quieter, personal worry; hand-wringing is more dramatic and often collective.
worry
A general word; hand-wringing carries a critical suggestion of overreaction.

Opposites

calmcomposure

Word family

wring verb
to twist and squeeze something, especially to remove liquid
wringing adjective
very wet, as in wringing wet

Commonly confused: hand-wringing or ringing?

hand-wringing vs ringing

Ringing means making a bell-like sound; hand-wringing is the anxious twisting of hands.

Practice

There has been a lot of ______ about the decline in reading scores, but few new programs.

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