halting

adjective

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

Examples of halting in a Sentence

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.
Long before the radical abolition movement of the 1830s, enslaved people had little choice but to place their trust in this more halting, conservative movement. Carolyn Eastman, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Sep. 2024 Fans — the lifeblood of all sports leagues, but especially the incredibly fan-friendly Bundesliga — protested the potential deal, often disrupting and halting games during the second half of last season. Vitas Carosella, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 The Democratic Party has been engulfed in conversations over the past two weeks over whether Biden is the best candidate to beat former President Trump following his halting debate performance on June 27. Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 9 July 2024 Two weeks before the Butler attempt on Trump’s life, President Joe Biden had triggered a crisis in the Democratic Party with his halting debate performance. Philip Elliott, TIME, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for halting 

Word History

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of halting was in 1585

Dictionary Entries Near halting

Cite this Entry

“Halting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/halting. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

halting

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