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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dying
to stop functioning
the engine stalls sometimes when it's very cold outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in blocking
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in procrastinating
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stalling
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2025
Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Attempts to add more stringent enforcement requirements, however, keep stalling in the Legislature.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
The group’s rise began slowly, with its first two albums stalling near the middle of the Billboard 200 in 1974.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
About 47% are setting back their dream vacations and travel, 31% are stalling on home renovations, 26% are delaying buying or leasing a new car, and 17% are pushing back buying a new house.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
Trump has previously publicly chided Netanyahu for stalling the deal.
—Yamiche Alcindor, NBC news, 14 Oct. 2025
Damascus also accuses the Kurds of stalling by demanding lengthy engagements on every detail, an impossible task during a postwar transition.
—Hassan Hassan, Time, 11 Oct. 2025
At Kitchen Lake Bridge, drivers have told stories about headlights flickering and cars stalling.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
Democrats have accused Johnson of stalling because Grijalva has promised to back an effort to force a vote on the release of the Justice Department’s files on Jeffrey Epstein.
—Robert Jimison, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
Adjective
The odds of a prolonged federal government shutdown stretching into mid-November have jumped as negotiations to pass a funding bill continue stalling in the Senate, according to Polymarket betting odds.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Attempts to add more stringent enforcement requirements, however, keep stalling in the Legislature.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
The group’s rise began slowly, with its first two albums stalling near the middle of the Billboard 200 in 1974.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
About 47% are setting back their dream vacations and travel, 31% are stalling on home renovations, 26% are delaying buying or leasing a new car, and 17% are pushing back buying a new house.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
Trump has previously publicly chided Netanyahu for stalling the deal.
—Yamiche Alcindor, NBC news, 14 Oct. 2025
Damascus also accuses the Kurds of stalling by demanding lengthy engagements on every detail, an impossible task during a postwar transition.
—Hassan Hassan, Time, 11 Oct. 2025
At Kitchen Lake Bridge, drivers have told stories about headlights flickering and cars stalling.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
Democrats have accused Johnson of stalling because Grijalva has promised to back an effort to force a vote on the release of the Justice Department’s files on Jeffrey Epstein.
—Robert Jimison, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalling
Verb
-
Phil Rinn was among those who felt the momentum needed to continue through a general strike, halting the flow of work and consumerism until substantial changes were made.—
Stephanie Murray,
AZCentral.com,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The plaintiffs in the New York suit seek a declaration that the surveillance program is unconstitutional, an injunction halting its operation, and an order requiring the government to purge any records derived from online monitoring.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Away from the ship, Barton was spending much of her time in a warehouse called Los Fosos, four long buildings housing hundreds of reconcentrados who were dying so quickly their graves went unnamed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Oct. 2025
-
He was later sold to an amusement park in Mexico before starring in Free Willy, being released back into the ocean in 1998 before dying.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The metro Detroit rallies have advocated for causes including stopping immigration crackdowns, stopping authoritarianism, health care, maintaining a positive relationship with Canada amid tariffs, declaring Detroit a sanctuary city, stopping deaths in Gaza and more.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Nihi has 25 of Sumba’s beloved sandalwood horses, released from their stable once a day to run free through the shallows, stopping to roll around in the sand and nip at each other.—
Katie Lockhart,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The film, which centers on a woman whose life is literally and figuratively crashing down around her, had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival before heading to the Berlin Film Festival, where Byrne was awarded the best actress prize.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Jenner, now a billionaire, launched her makeup brand under the persona, her multi-toned lip kits often crashing the company site from popularity.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Star wide receiver Garrett Wilson was not able to make much of an impact either, only catching three passes for 13 yards.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Harrison exited in the second quarter after hitting his head on the turf after catching a 21-yard pass from Jacoby Brissett.—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Leafs chased the Kraken around the Toronto zone for extended periods, failing to control play as Stolarz tried and mostly excelled in keeping his team in it.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
-
The prince was widely criticized for failing to show empathy for Epstein's victims and for offering unbelievable explanations for his friendship with the disgraced financier.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
While Fleck has had success against the Huskers, his team’s two main problems (tackling and blocking) haven’t been resolved.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The unusually large protest crippled traffic in the heart of the Belgian capital, blocking major roads.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stalling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalling. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share