halting

1 of 2

adjective

halt·​ing ˈhȯl-tiŋ 

: marked by a lack of sureness or effectiveness

spoke in a halting manner

haltingly

ˈhȯl-tiŋ-lē 

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

Adjective

New local agencies became responsible for halting chronic groundwater declines. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

His note arrived after years of halting development, from an actor Greengrass knew only casually. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 11 Sep. 2026

But when, 30 minutes in, the discussion turns to the man who had more impact on Wasim’s cricketing career than any other, the answers become more hushed and halting. — James Wallace, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Russia and Ukraine have enacted a 72-hour temporary truce for the duration of the US envoys’ visits, specifically halting airstrikes on each other’s capitals, Kyiv and Moscow. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1585, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for halting

• faulting
• malting
• salting
• vaulting
• assaulting
• defaulting
• desalting
• exalting

Kids Definition

halting

adjective

halt·​ing ˈhȯl-tiŋ 

: being unsure or hesitant

spoke in a halting manner

haltingly adverb