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

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

Yet, amid the turbulence, the southern nation of Zambia has charted a determined, if halting, course toward potential growth. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Aug. 2026

In the June 27 debate, put on by CNN, the then-president delivered a halting performance with a raspy voice, struggling with multiple stumbles and lost trains of thought. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026

The third-year guard gave up a drive-halting sack (with Young in at QB) after getting thrown off his spot by Deone Walker. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 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