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

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

Hundreds of masked anti-immigration demonstrators in black paramilitary gear blocked roads into the Port of Dover, halting traffic, stranding travelers and freight, and briefly shutting access to Britain’s busiest ferry hub. — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026

El-Sayed does not call himself a socialist but his progressive views on halting unconditional military aid to Israel and Medicare for All overlap with the left flank of the Democratic Party. — Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 31 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