hang back

verb

Definition of hang backnext
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

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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 Those of us not actually knocking hung back in the stairwell; even so, some residents were hesitant to engage. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026 While others in our pack hung back, discussing everything from real estate prices to the effects of social media on teenagers (Really? — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026 Most bystanders hung back, but Pittenger’s sister took action. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026 Felicia Coleman hung back in the throng of family members gathered in front of the microphones, wiping away tears. — Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hang back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hang back
  1. hesitate
  2. falter
Verb
  • And women who suspect their period pain is more severe than normal should not hesitate to speak with a health care provider, especially if symptoms are affecting their quality of life.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • In the second half, Freese stepped off his line to control a ball, hesitated, stubbed his foot against the ground, and lost the ball.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 7 July 2026
Definition of hesitate
Verb
  • Current training methods, such as reinforcement learning, can produce robots that are very good at consistently performing a specific task under very specific conditions—but such robots may falter on the same task under different conditions.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 7 July 2026
  • Without this common utility, even the most complex of war machines will falter.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026
Definition of falter

Browse Nearby Words

hang (at)
hang back
hangdog
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hang back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hang%20back. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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