hanging back

verb

present participle of hang back
as in hesitating
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 hanging back Dad is hanging back in the doorway. — Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025 After Fester fried the hospital's power grid, allowing the LOIS patients to escape and begin attacking Judi, Wednesday noticed that one female patient was hanging back. — Megan McCluskey, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hanging back
  1. hesitating
  2. faltering
Verb
  • Cueto was known for hesitating while in his pitching motion, or wiggling on the mound.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026
  • So electric power companies and regulators are cautious, hesitating to construct plants unless future demand is guaranteed.
    — Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of hesitating
Verb
  • Two decades’ worth of Chinese investments in research and foreign policy are coming into bloom, Osnos writes, at the same moment that America is faltering on the world stage.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The Athletic spoke to those close to Rooney — who did so anonymously to protect relationships — about his transformation from faltering broadcaster to one of the bright points of the national broadcaster’s coverage.
    — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of faltering

Browse Nearby Words

hanging (at)
hanging back
hanging fire
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hanging back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hanging%20back. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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