1
as in stops
to bring (something) to a standstill
traffic was halted by the parade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ceases
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the private eye abruptly halted his surveillance of the building upon being spotted by his subject
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ends
to come to an end
all filming halted when the star of the movie quit in a huff
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in limps
to walk while favoring one leg
even with her twisted ankle, she managed to halt along and complete her Walk for Peace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hesitates
to show uncertainty about the right course of action
she was often confused, halting between the responsibilities of her job and the demands of her home life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in jams
a point in a struggle where neither side is capable of winning or willing to give in
negotiations are at a halt, with neither management nor the union budging on the issue of salary limits
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in cessations
the stopping of a process or activity
gardening came to a halt during the week of solid rain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of halts
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
The findings do not definitively prove that birding halts cognitive decline, but the evidence is promising.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2026
The framework halts the fighting, reopens the Strait of Hormuz and moves the countries closer to an agreement that could result in Iran turning over its enriched uranium.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 16 June 2026
The late-night order halts what would have been the nation’s ninth nitrogen execution, a rare reprieve in a state where recent nitrogen deaths involved shaking, gasping and prolonged suffering.
—Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Filing for bankruptcy can trigger an automatic stay that generally halts most collection actions, including lawsuits, garnishments and bank levies, while the case is being processed.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 11 June 2026
This halts the cooking process, preventing mushy, overcooked pasta, and removes the excess starch, which would otherwise cause the noodles to stick together.
—Martha Stewart, 11 June 2026
Not necessarily that the basketball becomes easier, but each minute is so tense, both teams are so focused and each possession is so tight that the winner is often decided by which team — or player — can execute when the game halts to a grind.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 4 June 2026
Cooper’s ruling halts those plans for now.
—Collin Binkley, Fortune, 30 May 2026
Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 June 2026
In practice the printer ran for about 3 months (including setup and halts), whereas a traditional cast bridge might have taken 3–4 times longer.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
Former leaders warn that the loss of institutional knowledge, combined with halts to the incoming pipeline of public health workers, may lead to a long-term crisis.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
Automotive industry analysts are forecasting that another microchip shortage could hit in the coming months, which could increase risks for production halts as costs skyrocket.
—Breana Noble, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Nerves of an energy crisis intensified over the weekend as oil producers in the Gulf announced further halts to production, with Bahrain’s national oil company declaring force majeure.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
The abrupt disruption resulted in chip shortages and production halts at several automakers.
—Sarah Jacob, Bloomberg, 14 Jan. 2026
Conflict in Yemen has prompted air traffic halts — leaving about 600 tourists stranded on a remote island.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
The fact that any soliloquy halts dramatic action also poses a challenge.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2025
Verb
The findings indicate that bird-watching and similar hobbies may support overall brain health, though researchers stop short of saying the activity definitively halts cognitive decline.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
The findings do not definitively prove that birding halts cognitive decline, but the evidence is promising.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2026
The framework halts the fighting, reopens the Strait of Hormuz and moves the countries closer to an agreement that could result in Iran turning over its enriched uranium.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 16 June 2026
The late-night order halts what would have been the nation’s ninth nitrogen execution, a rare reprieve in a state where recent nitrogen deaths involved shaking, gasping and prolonged suffering.
—Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Filing for bankruptcy can trigger an automatic stay that generally halts most collection actions, including lawsuits, garnishments and bank levies, while the case is being processed.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 11 June 2026
This halts the cooking process, preventing mushy, overcooked pasta, and removes the excess starch, which would otherwise cause the noodles to stick together.
—Martha Stewart, 11 June 2026
Not necessarily that the basketball becomes easier, but each minute is so tense, both teams are so focused and each possession is so tight that the winner is often decided by which team — or player — can execute when the game halts to a grind.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 4 June 2026
Cooper’s ruling halts those plans for now.
—Collin Binkley, Fortune, 30 May 2026
Noun
Since prolonged production halts can cause permanent damage to oil wells, shutting them down is typically a last resort.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 June 2026
In practice the printer ran for about 3 months (including setup and halts), whereas a traditional cast bridge might have taken 3–4 times longer.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
Former leaders warn that the loss of institutional knowledge, combined with halts to the incoming pipeline of public health workers, may lead to a long-term crisis.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
Automotive industry analysts are forecasting that another microchip shortage could hit in the coming months, which could increase risks for production halts as costs skyrocket.
—Breana Noble, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Nerves of an energy crisis intensified over the weekend as oil producers in the Gulf announced further halts to production, with Bahrain’s national oil company declaring force majeure.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
The abrupt disruption resulted in chip shortages and production halts at several automakers.
—Sarah Jacob, Bloomberg, 14 Jan. 2026
Conflict in Yemen has prompted air traffic halts — leaving about 600 tourists stranded on a remote island.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
The fact that any soliloquy halts dramatic action also poses a challenge.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for halts
Verb
-
Burke won the Stanley Cup as Anaheim’s general manager in 2007, one of several front-office stops for him, along with time spent as the NHL’s director of hockey operations.—
Stephen Whyno,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2026
-
The nose stops registering any single note and the room just smells busy.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
This essentially means that, for under-16s, Snapchat ceases to function as a social media app and becomes something closer to a sophisticated messaging platform just for friends and family.—
Paul Monckton,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
In the company of Charlie and Catherine, Leonora ceases to feel like herself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
The robot handles laundry, and the clip ends before the messier second attempt.—
Robert J. Szczerba,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
Dallas Wings fans will be able to watch Azzi Fudd play basketball even after this WNBA season ends.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
None at all leads to slow, pale, sad-looking growth that limps through the season.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The unchanged chain was dubbed Ethereum Classic, which still limps along today, though its market cap is far less than 1% of actual Ethereum.—
Emin Gün Sirer,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sirianni hesitates for a moment, like the school troublemaker on the verge of another unpleasant trip to the principal’s office.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
If someone hesitates, keep spirits up and adjust the route without losing the goal, then genuinely celebrate small wins.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Steely and deliberate songwriting that casually staggers down the line between rhythm and melody, laced with loose yet conscious jams.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
22 June 2026
-
Achieving it in reality would be brutally hard because the target moves, hides, jams, uses decoys, and fights back.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Temporary cessations of hostility, but no permanent closing of the moral and social divide between debtor and creditor, and no giving up on the thought that some lives matter more than others.—
Henry Freedland,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Not stalls the standard 12-by-12 feet of other ranches but 14 feet square to give horses more room to move around naturally.—
Nielsen Dinwoodie,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
This process stalls improvements for years.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Halts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/halts. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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