HANG BACK Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

hang back

verb

Definition of hang back

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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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

Verb

The reasons customers hesitate, why deals stall, or what causes operational issues to repeat themselves are often revealed in conversation, not in structured fields.

— Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
People interrupt each other, hesitate to speak up, overlook important perspectives, or drift away from the purpose of the meeting.

— Alison Wood Brooks, Harvard Business Review, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of hesitate

Verb

Should any of them falter from here on out — or any sort of injury hit the rotation — the Phillies would be in a poor spot given their thin starting pitching depth and narrow margins to make the postseason after multiple dismal stretches.

— Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
But their turnout in Broward, the state’s last big remaining Democratic stronghold, faltered.

— Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of falter

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hang (at)

hang back

hangdog

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“Hang back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hang%20back. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of hang back

verb

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