HANGS BACK Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hangs back

Verb

If someone hesitates, gently restate the goal and offer one reasonable option while staying loyal to your own needs.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026
In Spearfish, Yu hesitates over a set of cow grates and dumps her bike at low velocity.

— Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026

Definition of hesitates

Verb

While the federal government remains indispensable in public health, these state-level collaborations demonstrated that regional governance can emerge quickly when national leadership falters.

— John Eger, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
The system implemented by the National Weather Service falters mathematically when both the temperature and humidity are particularly high.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 3 July 2026

Definition of falters

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hangs (at)

hangs back

hangs fire

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“Hangs back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hangs%20back. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of hangs back

verb

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