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
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Recent Examples of hang back
The strategy that King decided on at the last minute was to hang back, lobbing softballs to create long volleys that would tire Riggs out.
—
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 28 Jan. 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
Dad is hanging back in the doorway.
—Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hang back
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 28 Jan. 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
Dad is hanging back in the doorway.
—Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hang back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hang back
Verb
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Don’t hesitate to step away if things get too heated.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
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Evaluate your silver investment options with precision, then, and don't hesitate to use the experts associated with precious metal investing companies who can better assist you and help you get started securely.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Dubai, in particular, finds its position as the crown jewel of Middle East’s tourism faltering as its airports have been forced to shut temporarily during the conflict.—
Sydney Goh,
CNBC,
4 Apr. 2026
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The right-hander — a former first-round pick by the Pirates in 2017 — missed out on his first victory with the Orioles since being acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay when Baltimore's defense faltered late.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hang back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hang%20back. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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