Synonyms of stalling

stalling 1 of 2

adjective

1

as in blocking

Related Words

• blocking
• hampering
• impeding
• frustrating
• hindering
• retardant
• baffling
• thwarting
• nullifying
• negating
• neutralizing
• balking
• foiling
• deterring
• deterrent
• preventive
• preventative
• prophylactic
• precautionary

Dissimilar Words

• assisting
• aiding
• facilitating
• promoting
• smoothing
• encouraging
• abetting
• nurturing
• fostering
• easing
• forwarding
• furthering

2

as in procrastinating

Related Words

• procrastinating
• decelerating
• slowing
• filibustering
• lingering
• ambling
• shuffling
• plodding
• strolling
• loitering
• lagging
• lethargic
• creeping
• dragging
• crawling
• deliberate
• dilatory
• lounging
• inching
• tarrying
• heavy-footed
• inactive
• inert
• loafing
• dallying
• dillydallying
• leisurely
• sluggish
• poking
• slow-footed
• laggard
• tardy
• dawdling
• slow
• unhurried
• measured
• poky
• snail-paced
• languid
• snaillike

Dissimilar Words

• rapid
• rushing
• running
• speeding
• flying
• speedy
• swift
• lightning
• racing
• hasty
• quick
• bolting
• brisk
• fast
• rocketing
• breathless
• dizzy
• ready
• fleet
• whirlwind
• meteoric
• prompt
• expeditious
• snappy
• hurrying
• accelerated
• whirling
• warp-speed
• breakneck
• zipping
• scooting
• barreling
• careering
• scudding
• scurrying
• whisking
• rushed
• hastened
• quickened
• hurried

stalling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of stall

1

as in halting

to bring (something) to a standstill

endless complaints stalled the process of selecting the winning design for the memorial

Synonyms & Similar Words

• halting
• stopping
• catching
• blocking
• checking
• arresting
• staying
• hindering
• impeding
• stilling
• obstructing
• holding
• suspending
• pulling up
• drawing up
• bringing up
• ending
• stemming
• holding up
• balking
• clogging
• snagging
• fetching up
• blockading
• detaining
• terminating
• concluding
• holding back
• baffling
• suppressing
• damming
• bottlenecking
• stunting
• cutting off
• squashing
• calling
• repressing
• discontinuing
• turning back
• squelching
• stanching
• reining (in)
• choking off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continuing
• persisting
• keeping (on)
• moving
• proceeding
• carrying on
• progressing
• advancing
• running on
• keeping up
• marching
• pushing
• driving
• going along
• stirring
• faring
• following through (with)
• spurring
• propelling
• actuating
• wending
• impelling
• goading
• budging

2

as in dying

to stop functioning

the engine stalls sometimes when it's very cold outside

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dying
• crashing
• failing
• breaking
• cutting out
• giving out
• breaking down
• sputtering
• wheezing
• malfunctioning
• jamming
• conking (out)
• fizzling
• acting up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• starting (up)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stalling

Adjective

The tense talks continued into a second day but concluded without progress, in a diplomatic effort that seemed little more than another stalling game for Putin. — Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026

Republican House Speaker Dustin Burrows promised swift action and vowed to brook no more stalling tactics from Democrats. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2025

Verb

Attorneys for Alex Murdaugh accused the state of stalling in a way that could jeopardize the defense's trial preparation. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2026

So brazenly setting up the next chapter before finishing the first undercuts an otherwise solid finish, but Season 2 is peppered with hallmarks of a series stalling for time. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026

Kehler suspects his hopes for expanding business in Canada are stalling because residents there resent the way the president and members of his Cabinet treat their country, a longtime ally. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026

At a press conference afterward, Kushner argued that the Iranians were merely stalling. — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

Just make sure your organization’s slow-and-steady is truly goal-driven and deliberate, not a mask for stalling. — Robbie Morrison, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

In a recall report, Ford said there is a risk that a fuel tank could leak or become detached, increasing the danger of an engine stalling and causing a possible crash or fire. — Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 14 Sep. 2026

In Surprise, Arizona, an environmental review is stalling the government's plans to hold up to 1,500 people in a warehouse across the street from Rinchem, a storage facility for hazardous chemicals. — María Luisa Paúl, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

Reeger became a hero after taking out several Klingon cruisers at the Battle of Zeta Reticuli, but he was actually incapacitated at the time and took the credit for George's heroic actions, stalling Kirk Sr's career in the process. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2026