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Synonyms
Examples of hang back in a Sentence
even though the young mother wanted the job, she still hung back because she wasn't sure if she should spend time away from her family
Recent Examples on the Web
For over two years, capital has been hanging back – and that capital must move because it is held in closed-end funds, with a typical 10-year lifespan.
—Control Risks, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
The kids decide to hang back at the restaurant for the night when Bob buys coveted candy (Sour Sack Babies), and the place gets overrun with desperate trick-or-treaters.
—Lillian Brown, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024
For many global companies and banks, hanging back will be the easiest and safest course of action.
—Eric Lorber, Foreign Affairs, 15 July 2015
Instead, many hide their hearing loss by nodding along in conversation, by hanging back at social gatherings, by staying home.
—Charley Locke, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near hang back
Cite this Entry
“Hang back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hang%20back. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
hang back
verb1
: to linger behind others
hung back to wait for the slower children
2
: to be unwilling to do something : hesitate
always hangs back when everyone else is dancing
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