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
To avoid interrupting, Tozer decided to hang back and began setting up her own paddleboard, hoping to give them some space.
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Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2024
After the show, attendees were invited to hang back and enjoy an offering of beverages and a BBQ-style cookout, which included burgers, hot dogs and vegetarian options.
—Raven Brunner, Peoplemag, 18 Aug. 2024
Until there is more certainty around those answers, investors may hang back, or wait for more opportunistic moments (like, say, a bankruptcy).
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Aug. 2024
As computers moved on from DOS to Windows, and word programs grew to encompass features that strayed far from organizing words on a page, WordStar hung back, whether in DOS emulation or in the hearts of its die-hard fans.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 6 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hang back 
Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2024
After the show, attendees were invited to hang back and enjoy an offering of beverages and a BBQ-style cookout, which included burgers, hot dogs and vegetarian options.
—Raven Brunner, Peoplemag, 18 Aug. 2024
Until there is more certainty around those answers, investors may hang back, or wait for more opportunistic moments (like, say, a bankruptcy).
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Aug. 2024
As computers moved on from DOS to Windows, and word programs grew to encompass features that strayed far from organizing words on a page, WordStar hung back, whether in DOS emulation or in the hearts of its die-hard fans.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 6 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hang back
Thesaurus Entries Near hang back
Cite this Entry
“Hang back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hang%20back. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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