Synonyms of hangs back

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hesitates
• falters
• debates
• waits
• vacillates
• scruples
• balances
• dithers
• pauses
• wavers
• halts
• staggers
• shilly-shallies
• backs down
• wobbles
• chickens (out)
• teeters
• sways
• delays
• lingers
• haws
• procrastinates
• hems
• weighs
• ponders
• dawdles
• deliberates
• pussyfoots
• oscillates
• equivocates
• waffles
• hedges
• considers
• dallies

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• plunges (in)
• dives (in)
• decides
• continues
• stirs
• advances
• budges

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hangs back

Gengras hangs back, letting his synths thicken the air rather than leaping boldly to the front. — Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 15 July 2026

As the other performers migrate from the performance space to the control room to hear the recording, Sehgal hangs back. — Deasia Paige, AJC.com, 8 Apr. 2026

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