halting

adjective

halt·​ing ˈhȯl-tiŋ 

: marked by a lack of sureness or effectiveness

spoke in a halting manner

haltingly

ˈhȯl-tiŋ-lē 

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

The sticking point appears to be the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had militarized at the start of the war, halting commercial shipping and skyrocketing energy prices around the world. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 24 July 2026

Previous talks on a deal to ensure people and goods could keep flowing across the border had made halting progress. — Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Biden's halting gait, frail appearance and frequent verbal stumbles eventually doomed his 2024 reelection campaign. — ABC News, 14 July 2026

Biden’s halting gait, frail appearance and frequent verbal stumbles eventually doomed his 2024 reelection campaign. — Jill Colvin, Fortune, 14 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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