halting

1 of 2

adjective

halt·​ing ˈhȯl-tiŋ How to pronounce halting (audio)
Synonyms of haltingnext
: marked by a lack of sureness or effectiveness
spoke in a halting manner
haltingly
ˈhȯl-tiŋ-lē How to pronounce halting (audio)
adverb

halting

2 of 2

present participle of halt entry 1, halt entry 3

Examples of halting in a Sentence

Adjective She answered in a halting voice. The baby took a few halting steps. Progress in the negotiations has been halting.
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.
Adjective
DeChatelet, an acting instructor at Florida Atlantic University, uses his halting speech to depict a person who’s afraid of offending anyone. — Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026 Such warnings from the administration were mentioned by Justice Sonia Sotomayor in her dissent as evidence of the harm suffered by the states already, and reason for the lower court’s ruling halting implementation to hold. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 In 2025 the administration slashed the CRCL staff from roughly 150 employees down to just a handful, effectively halting operations. — Vanessa Romo, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026 The Pentagon has directed the military to stop accepting transgender recruits, as well as halting procedures linked to gender transition and saying openly transgender service members could face separation processes. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for halting

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1585, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of halting was in 1585

Rhymes for halting

See All Rhymes for halting

Browse Nearby Words

Haltica
halting
haltingness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Halting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/halting. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

halting

adjective
halt·​ing ˈhȯl-tiŋ How to pronounce halting (audio)
: being unsure or hesitant
spoke in a halting manner
haltingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on halting

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for halting

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