hangs about

verb

present tense third-person singular of hang about, British
1
as in hangs (around or out)
to spend time doing nothing a tea house near campus where many university students could be seen hanging about

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in plays
to spend time in aimless activity we'll be hanging about at the pub if you need us

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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 hangs about Though the sisters are supposedly first-generation Italian American, no whiff of the old country hangs about Kay; Dorothy will at least spit out a few words in Italian. — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026 Turquoise pearl, and azure line the space, and a cylindrical hanging light sculpture made of hundreds of white and gold ceramic fish hangs about the lounge seating area. — Kristin Braswell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026 The hot air just hangs about, causing the dish to cook unevenly with some spots nearly raw and others burnt. — New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2025 Despite Dickens’ canonical reputation, the author of door-stoppers such as Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickeleby, the stench of the entrepreneurial still hangs about him. — Literary Hub, 21 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hangs about
  1. kicks back
  2. plays
  3. rests
  4. messes around
  5. bums
  6. chills
Verb
  • Next week, the women head to Bethany Beach, Wendy and Stacey’s on-again/off-again dynamic kicks back up, and the Eileen Davidson accords are finally lifted.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Well … that’s where my skepticism kicks back in.
    — Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
Definition of kicks back
Verb
  • Three plays later, Austin Simmons hit Cayden Lee, who got blasted by a Longhorn defender and fumbled to set up the game-sealing Texas TD.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Pitre plays a key role in the as the nickel cornerback, and his versatility at the position is somewhat irreplaceable in DeMeco Ryans’ scheme.
    — Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of plays
Verb
  • Much of the allure of China’s pitch rests on how the country’s developers share their technology.
    — DANIEL REMLER, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Still, a bullish case for Alphabet rests not in its post-earnings concerns being unfounded, but rather on its growth being strong enough to withstand them.
    — Julia Spina, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of rests
Verb
  • Other standouts include a Maybelline mascara and a Black and Decker handheld vacuum, which makes quick work of small messes around the house and in the car.
    — Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of messes around
Verb
  • The joy Lisa has with her RHUGT cast compared with the dread her RHOSLC cast seems to bring her really bums me out — especially because of how much of this trip is championing the sisterhood of Housewives.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Critical thinking really bums them out.
    — Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of bums
Verb
  • The department also argues that threatening officers with prosecution for protecting their identities and their families chills enforcement of federal law and compromises sensitive operations.
    — Eric Henderson, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • With her severe bob and icy demeanor, Miranda chills her underlings to the bone.
    — Jami Ganz, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Sep. 2026
Definition of chills

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Cite this Entry

“Hangs about.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hangs%20about. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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