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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hang back
But the bigger picture for Iran’s oil revenue is darkening as other potential buyers hang back.
—
Ian Bremmer, Time, 14 Sep. 2025
Asia hangs back from fetch, left; and right, Kiki gives her space to chase the ball at her own pace.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for hang back
Ian Bremmer, Time, 14 Sep. 2025
Asia hangs back from fetch, left; and right, Kiki gives her space to chase the ball at her own pace.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for hang back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hang back
Verb
-
Blashill didn’t hesitate to go right back to Knight after the goalie’s first poor performance of the season Thursday night in Winnipeg.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The Nashville forward was awarded the PK after Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo hesitated coming off his line and was called for a foul.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
After Ohtani faltered, the game was the Blue Jays’ to lose, but the Dodgers kept pecking away.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
And when New York falters, the ripple effects are often national.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hang back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hang%20back. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share