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
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
But the bigger picture for Iran’s oil revenue is darkening as other potential buyers hang back.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hang back
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
But the bigger picture for Iran’s oil revenue is darkening as other potential buyers hang back.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hang back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hang back
Verb
-
Don’t hesitate to approach the pens and ask questions.—
Sara Hansen,
Denver Post,
23 Jan. 2026
-
After 9/11, Denmark did not hesitate.—
Barbara Sprunt,
NPR,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The film falters, however, once something resembling an actual plot kicks in.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
24 Jan. 2026
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However, as the world reopened and gyms returned to normal operations, Peloton’s growth engines began to falter.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hang back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hang%20back. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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