HUNG BACK Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

hung back

verb

past tense of hang back

as in hesitated

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 hung back David hung back, letting Cody be the one to approach the woman sitting at the front desk, crowded out by a floral arrangement. — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 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 While others in our pack hung back, discussing everything from real estate prices to the effects of social media on teenagers (Really? — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026 Most bystanders hung back, but Pittenger’s sister took action. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026 Felicia Coleman hung back in the throng of family members gathered in front of the microphones, wiping away tears. — Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026 Afterward, while players sat at a long table under one of the baskets, providing autographs for fans, Farokhmanesh hung back. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025 Seeing the body language of his double-play partner, second baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa hung back as well. — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hung back

Verb

Incumbents hesitated, but young and diverse civic-minded men and women jumped at a chance to compete on a level playing field for state offices.

— Elona Vaisnys, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026
When Kimmel hesitated when guessing Spaghetti & Meatball, Affleck and Ding called upon Ding’s trivia partner Stephen Morrison, who opted not to answer.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2026

Definition of hesitated

Verb

Apartment values appear to have faltered in Oakland, an economic erosion that has unleashed loan delinquencies and even foreclosures in a growing number of instances.

— George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
But in Sunday’s matchup against the Portland Thorns, that unit faltered in a major way.

— Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of faltered

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hung (at)

hung back

hunger

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“Hung back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hung%20back. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of hung back

verb

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