1
as in blocking
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2
as in procrastinating
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1
as in halting
to bring (something) to a standstill
endless complaints stalled the process of selecting the winning design for the memorial
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2
as in dying
to stop functioning
the engine stalls sometimes when it's very cold outside
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stalling
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
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
In their overwhelming argument, Sorsby is claiming the NCAA will suffer no harm in allowing the quarterback to play this season, and their tactics in stalling a decision will lead to further harm.
—Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
Meanwhile, incidents of vehicles stalling in the area have continued.
—Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 18 May 2026
The leader who's been stalling on a call for three weeks doesn't usually experience it as stalling.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
The National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates did not share as bullish of an outlook in their Global Port Tracker, indicating forward demand is weakening due to stalling retail re-stocking efforts.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 13 May 2026
Early this year many Fed policymakers were worried the job market was stalling and leaned toward rate cuts.
—Arkansas Online, 8 May 2026
What refineries and traders are willing to pay for oil swings wildly after news breaks about attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf or diplomacy talks stalling.
—Cathy Bussewitz, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Others voiced support for workforce reforms advanced by the Los Angeles Black Worker Center, warning that proposals to modernize hiring and expand access to city jobs risk stalling without action to move them forward.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 2 May 2026
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
Largely union money, it was spent in the summer after the primary and was viewed as critical to stalling self-funding Republican billionaire Meg Whitman’s campaign.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
In their overwhelming argument, Sorsby is claiming the NCAA will suffer no harm in allowing the quarterback to play this season, and their tactics in stalling a decision will lead to further harm.
—Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
Meanwhile, incidents of vehicles stalling in the area have continued.
—Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 18 May 2026
The leader who's been stalling on a call for three weeks doesn't usually experience it as stalling.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
The National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates did not share as bullish of an outlook in their Global Port Tracker, indicating forward demand is weakening due to stalling retail re-stocking efforts.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 13 May 2026
Early this year many Fed policymakers were worried the job market was stalling and leaned toward rate cuts.
—Arkansas Online, 8 May 2026
What refineries and traders are willing to pay for oil swings wildly after news breaks about attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf or diplomacy talks stalling.
—Cathy Bussewitz, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Others voiced support for workforce reforms advanced by the Los Angeles Black Worker Center, warning that proposals to modernize hiring and expand access to city jobs risk stalling without action to move them forward.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalling
Adjective
-
The winner was the player who avoided being blocked the longest — a blocking game, a category of strategy game where the objective centers on restricting your opponent’s movement.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And Miller has been struggling with a black issues this year, halting his development.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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She’s done the same by halting automatic contributions to her retirement, canceling doctor’s appointments and cutting grocery items.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
27 May 2026
Verb
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By April and May, the winter bugs will transform into flying insects and begin to mate before dying in two or three days.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2026
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The explosive accusations are the latest chapter in a saga in which Hawthorne, a 135-year-old institution in Stickney just outside Chicago, is trying to restructure its debt and save dozens of jobs while working to rescue the state’s dying horse racing industry.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
The stock has declined nearly 28% in 2026, largely due to concerns over the social media platform’s decelerating year-over-year traffic growth and its sensitivity to macroeconomic conditions.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Most of the night went on without a hitch, with several show-stopping moments bringing the audience to their feet, but like every live event, there were a few flubs and a couple eyebrow-raising choices.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
26 May 2026
-
The four-time Grand Slam champion also recently wore a show-stopping outfit at the Met Gala in New York.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 May 2026
Verb
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According to San Diego police, the driver crossed over oncoming traffic on National Avenue and then onto the sidewalk, crashing into the victim and the bus stop.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
-
Officers later found the vehicle and initiated a short pursuit, which ended with the suspect crashing into a power pole on the 1400 block of Center Street, near Seminary.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
Adjective
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And, through it all, stocks have continued to steadily rise, buoyed by hopes for Fed rate cuts, stronger-than-expected corporate earnings and slowing but stubborn confidence that an AI boom might reap big rewards for investors.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Fish is from Abolobi, who partners with fishermen using responsible, ethical fishing methods, catching only non-endangered species.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
-
In Game 1, the Montreal Canadiens earned full marks for catching the rusty Carolina Hurricanes off guard and piling up four quick goals on the way to a 6-2 win.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stalling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalling. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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