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Definition of handwringer

handwringer

/ˈhændˌrɪŋ.ɚ/
hand · wring · er
Plural:handwringers
•
Adjective:handwringing
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handwringer Lexical Profile

handwringer Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who displays excessive anxiety, distress, or self-righteous concern over a problem, especially while failing to take practical action to solve it.

Example

"Critics dismissed the committee members as mere handwringers who lamented the housing crisis without proposing any legislative solutions."

2

A manually operated mechanical device consisting of two rollers turned by a crank, used to squeeze water out of wet laundry.

Example

"Before electric spin dryers became common, households relied on a cast-iron handwringer mounted to a washbasin to press water from heavy linens."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

handwashing
handwork
handwoven
handwringer
handwringing
handwrite
handwriting

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Handwringer. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/handwringer
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