Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
hand-wringing
noun
/ˈhændˌrɪŋɪŋ/
Definition
The act of expressing anxiety or distress by wringing or twisting one’s hands, often as a sign of emotional frustration or worry.
Examples
- After hours of hand-wringing over the decision, the committee finally reached a conclusion.
- Her hand-wringing during the meeting made it clear how anxious she was about the upcoming project.
- There was no need for hand-wringing; the results were quite favorable.
Meaning
Hand-wringing refers to a display of extreme concern or anxiety about a situation, usually perceived as ineffective or excessive.
Synonyms
- worry
- fret
- anxiety
- overreacting
- destress
