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
But trading partners may want to hang back to assess the situation before resuming negotiations.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
Margie’s Intention, the morning line’s second favorite trained by Brad Cox, played the conditions, hanging back until Paris Lily lost her legs in the deep slush.
—Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2025
This is a prime opportunity for parents to enjoy a morning ride while grandparents hang back with grandchildren to meet a baby goat, pet friendly pigs and, on select days, collect eggs from the henhouse.
—Margaux Lushing, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hang back
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 23 June 2025
But trading partners may want to hang back to assess the situation before resuming negotiations.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
Margie’s Intention, the morning line’s second favorite trained by Brad Cox, played the conditions, hanging back until Paris Lily lost her legs in the deep slush.
—Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2025
This is a prime opportunity for parents to enjoy a morning ride while grandparents hang back with grandchildren to meet a baby goat, pet friendly pigs and, on select days, collect eggs from the henhouse.
—Margaux Lushing, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hang back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hang back
Verb
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The Bears quarterback didn't hesitate to offer some self-criticism in his postgame remarks either.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
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Look for Maker’s Marks While at the thrift store, don’t hesitate to turn an item over to inspect it further.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Max Verstappen's victories in the last two Grands Prix have brought him back into the championship fight, although the 69-point gap to Piastri can only be achieved if McLaren falters on every race weekend.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
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Years later, Rick Ankiel, a Cardinals pitcher, could no longer throw strikes—yet, when he was moved to the outfield, his accuracy rarely faltered from a greater distance.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hang back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hang%20back. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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