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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Recent Examples of hang back
Afterward, while players sat at a long table under one of the baskets, providing autographs for fans, Farokhmanesh hung back.
—
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Seeing the body language of his double-play partner, second baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa hung back as well.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The two of them caught food poisoning and had to hang back at the hotel, arriving on the Bravado only two hours before the first guests.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025
The security guards curse and hang back.
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hang back
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Seeing the body language of his double-play partner, second baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa hung back as well.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The two of them caught food poisoning and had to hang back at the hotel, arriving on the Bravado only two hours before the first guests.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025
The security guards curse and hang back.
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hang back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hang back
Verb
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not hesitate when asked about his expectations for Mookie Betts.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Many users hesitate to upload ID scans or biometric selfies to access gaming servers or community groups.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But when their friendship falters, Minnie is forced to navigate her own identity.—
Teresa Xie,
NPR,
20 Feb. 2026
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Mizzou was successful early but faltered late before hanging on.—
Joseph Pastilha,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hang back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hang%20back. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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