HANGS BACK Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

hangs back

verb

present tense third-person singular of hang back

as in hesitates

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 hangs back In episode six, Max and Holly find the memory that Henry has been hiding from, and while Max kind of ignores it, Holly hangs back and watches how Henry is affected by having killed that man. —

Derek Lawrence, HollywoodReporter, 2 Jan. 2026 While Judy tends to overdo it, Nick hangs back in his easygoing way and lets things fall into place. —

Katie Grant, Parents, 25 Nov. 2025 Asia hangs back from fetch, left; and right, Kiki gives her space to chase the ball at her own pace. —

Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hangs back

Verb

If a planner hesitates or hedges on this question, consider that a red flag.

— Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
When pressed on what a new economic system for the age of AGI might look like, Hunter-Torricke hesitates.

— Billy Perrigo, Time, 17 Feb. 2026