Synonyms of hang back

hang back

verb

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

• hesitate
• falter
• wait
• debate
• balance
• vacillate
• halt
• scruple
• dither
• stagger
• waver
• pause
• back down
• wobble
• sway
• teeter
• delay
• chicken (out)
• linger
• haw
• hem
• ponder
• procrastinate
• deliberate
• weigh
• shilly-shally
• dawdle
• consider
• equivocate
• oscillate
• waffle
• hedge
• dally
• pussyfoot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decide
• plunge (in)
• dive (in)
• continue
• stir
• advance
• budge

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hang back

Facing those headwinds, presidents typically hang back and let candidates run their own races in their own districts. — Tamara Keith, NPR, 22 July 2026

Gengras hangs back, letting his synths thicken the air rather than leaping boldly to the front. — Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 15 July 2026

With the entire circumference surrounded by a sea of humanity, Bishnoi hung back, her hands clasped in front of her mouth, while Rai went and lofted the Wanamaker Trophy above his head. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 18 May 2026

The most recent Super Bowl-winning teams made dynamic moves, while the Bills continued to hang back. — Tim Graham, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026