Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

hand-wringing

Noun

/ˈhændˌrɪŋ.ɪŋ/

Definition

Excessive concern or worry about a situation, often accompanied by anxiety or indecision.

Examples

After hearing the news about the budget cuts, there was a lot of hand-wringing among the staff.
His hand-wringing during the meeting made it clear he was worried about the project’s future.
Despite all the hand-wringing, no one proposed a solution to the ongoing issue.

Meaning

Hand-wringing refers to a display of distress or regret, usually shown by physically wringing one’s hands together. It represents a state of being overly concerned about a problem without taking action.