hang back

verb

hung back; hanging back; hangs back

intransitive verb

1
: to drag behind others
2
: to be reluctant

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
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.
At the same time, Amad, on the far side of the pitch, runs back to ensure United are not outnumbered, with Harry Maguire already hanging back. Anantaajith Raghuraman, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025 However, people with certain skin conditions should hang back. Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 8 Feb. 2025 But the congestion around National Airport, one of the country’s busiest public airspaces, requires particular adeptness and a willingness to hang back if necessary to let passenger jets take off or land safely. Mark Walker, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2025 Pick up a few of the travel prints and turn them into a series to frame and hang back home. Lane Nieset, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hang back

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hang back was in 1581

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hang back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hang%20back. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

hang back

verb
1
: 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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