as in hesitated
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 hung back
Those of us not actually knocking hung back in the stairwell; even so, some residents were hesitant to engage.
—
Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
While others in our pack hung back, discussing everything from real estate prices to the effects of social media on teenagers (Really?
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Most bystanders hung back, but Pittenger’s sister took action.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Felicia Coleman hung back in the throng of family members gathered in front of the microphones, wiping away tears.
—Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
Afterward, while players sat at a long table under one of the baskets, providing autographs for fans, Farokhmanesh hung back.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
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
Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
While others in our pack hung back, discussing everything from real estate prices to the effects of social media on teenagers (Really?
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Most bystanders hung back, but Pittenger’s sister took action.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Felicia Coleman hung back in the throng of family members gathered in front of the microphones, wiping away tears.
—Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
Afterward, while players sat at a long table under one of the baskets, providing autographs for fans, Farokhmanesh hung back.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hung back
Verb
-
The most likely explanation for the wave-off is that, after Barbashev’s dump-in, LaCombe might have hesitated, if only for a fateful moment, while Eichel went hard after the puck.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
5 May 2026
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Large oil producers have hesitated to make long-term capital decisions based on a potentially short-term war.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Armenia is one of the founding members of the CSTO, but its relationships with the organization and Russia have faltered over the past few years.—
Mark Temnycky,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
Everton’s form has faltered in recent weeks.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hung back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hung%20back. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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