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
While everyone else is working to save Bree, Belle hangs back and deals with the dead bodies.
—
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 23 June 2025
There are a few that fight the seagulls when the gulls try to steal a pizza crust that all the pigeons have been worrying, and there are a few that hang back and wait until the gulls are driven off.
—Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
After doing the work to create the transformer architecture in 2017, Google hung back and gave OpenAI the space to become a cultural phenomenon.
—Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 8 May 2025
So, with at least the knowledge that Manny is alive and relatively in one piece, Ray drives Theresa to prison with every intention of hanging back in the car.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hang back
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 23 June 2025
There are a few that fight the seagulls when the gulls try to steal a pizza crust that all the pigeons have been worrying, and there are a few that hang back and wait until the gulls are driven off.
—Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
After doing the work to create the transformer architecture in 2017, Google hung back and gave OpenAI the space to become a cultural phenomenon.
—Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 8 May 2025
So, with at least the knowledge that Manny is alive and relatively in one piece, Ray drives Theresa to prison with every intention of hanging back in the car.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hang back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hang back
Verb
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Utilize available accessibility services and don't hesitate to request assistance when needed.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
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Thanks to a couple who didn't hesitate to help, a small, injured stray cat now has a second chance at life and a forever home—even if down a limb.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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High-multiple growth stocks often falter during economic slowdowns, as lower earnings growth leads to sharp contractions in valuation multiples.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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Trump has made ending the conflict a major priority of his administration, though negotiations have faltered.—
Emily Rose,
USA Today,
3 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hang back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hang%20back. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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