as in to hesitate
to show uncertainty about the right course of action
she hung back in offering her opinion about her daughter's career choices because it wasn't her business
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hang back
Hochul hung back for a few more questions from reporters and pictures with other officials.
—
Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 1 Aug. 2025
New Justices tend to hang back; Jackson, now in her third term, spoke up from the start.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 25 June 2025
But trading partners may want to hang back to assess the situation before resuming negotiations.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
Margie’s Intention, the morning line’s second favorite trained by Brad Cox, played the conditions, hanging back until Paris Lily lost her legs in the deep slush.
—Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hang back
Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 1 Aug. 2025
New Justices tend to hang back; Jackson, now in her third term, spoke up from the start.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 25 June 2025
But trading partners may want to hang back to assess the situation before resuming negotiations.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
Margie’s Intention, the morning line’s second favorite trained by Brad Cox, played the conditions, hanging back until Paris Lily lost her legs in the deep slush.
—Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hang back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hang back
Verb
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Because life—even for us jaded adults—should be for the seizing, not for hesitating in the face of fear.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
9 Oct. 2025
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Upon receiving the handoff, Pacheco hesitated for a beat before faking left, juking right and breaking a tackle on the way to his longest rush of the season — a 16-yard gain on a drive that ended in a Kansas City touchdown.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There has been optimism at times with this Cowboys team powered by the top offense in the NFL, but the defense continues to falter at the worst moments at crucial points in close games.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Oct. 2025
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In a topsy-turvy season where AFC faves Kansas City and Baltimore have faltered, and Jacksonville and Indianapolis have been major surprises, people still want to discount Tomlin and the Black and Gold.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hang back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hang%20back. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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