Synonyms of hung back

hung back

verb

past tense of hang back

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hesitated
• faltered
• scrupled
• waited
• debated
• staggered
• vacillated
• balanced
• halted
• dithered
• wavered
• paused
• backed down
• shilly-shallied
• wobbled
• teetered
• swayed
• lingered
• delayed
• chickened (out)
• hemmed
• pondered
• procrastinated
• hawed
• dawdled
• deliberated
• weighed
• pussyfooted
• considered
• waffled
• equivocated
• oscillated
• hedged
• dallied

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• plunged (in)
• decided
• dived (in)
• continued
• stirred
• advanced
• budged

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hung back

With the entire circumference surrounded by a sea of humanity, Bishnoi hung back, her hands clasped in front of her mouth, while Rai went and lofted the Wanamaker Trophy above his head. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 18 May 2026

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