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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Recent Examples of hangs back
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
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
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If a gatekeeper hesitates, breathe and restate your win.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
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In the finale, Nicky hesitates at the altar, leading Rachel to question their relationship.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If a birth cohort hits what normally would be their high-earning years just as an economy booms, as the baby boomers did, their lifetime earnings will be far higher than a cohort reaching those ages just as the economy falters or goes into severe recession.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
26 Apr. 2026
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But even if Ohtani falters against the Giants, who rank near the bottom of the league in runs scored per game, that will not be a death knell to his candidacy.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hangs back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hangs%20back. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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