hang back

verb

Definition of hang backnext
as in to hesitate
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

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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 hang back Facing those headwinds, presidents typically hang back and let candidates run their own races in their own districts. — Tamara Keith, NPR, 22 July 2026 Gengras hangs back, letting his synths thicken the air rather than leaping boldly to the front. — Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 15 July 2026 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 The most recent Super Bowl-winning teams made dynamic moves, while the Bills continued to hang back. — Tim Graham, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hang back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hang back
  1. hesitate
  2. falter
Verb
  • Smith hesitated, Davis said, and Anderson grabbed the weapon and opened fire.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026
  • More often, courts hesitate to override a parent who, up until a divorce, has been a child’s primary decision-maker.
    — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of hesitate
Verb
  • Wednesday’s ugly loss, in which Yoshinobu Yamamoto faltered after a strong start and the Dodgers crumbled late despite taking a 3-0 first-inning lead, was the latest example.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • This leadership vacuum raises serious questions about the agencies' ability to craft meaningful crypto rules, especially if the Senate's Clarity Act vote falters.
    — Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of falter

Browse Nearby Words

hang (at)
hang back
hangdog
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hang back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hang%20back. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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