Meaning & use
Handwringing
Last updated
Excessive expression of anxiety, distress, or worry, often without any effective action following it.
See it in a sentence
There was much handwringing in the media over the election results, but little real analysis.
Instead of handwringing about the deadline, the team got to work.
A note on using this word
Originates from the literal gesture of wringing one's hands in anguish, now used mostly figuratively to criticize excessive worry over decisive action.
Words with a similar meaning
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Words with an opposite meaning
actiondecisiveness
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