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

Mendoza went three and out on his third drive, but then methodically marched the offense down the field before stalling. — Sam Warren, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

In May 2023, Serbia and Kosovo reached an agreement which included commitments by both sides to clarify the fate of the missing, but Kosovo and Serbia have accused each other of stalling efforts to work together. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

That is not a committee that has priced a stalling labor market. — Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

The technology was stalling because the human terms were broken. — Jason Dressel, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026

The order was a response to a court stalling previous changes to vaccine policy, Heidi Overton, a health policy adviser at the White House, said. — Daniel Payne, STAT, 10 Aug. 2026

With the opponent’s next drive, plus media timeouts, or maybe Butker’s own offense stalling without a scoring opportunity, the inactivity adds up in real time. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026

Yale sees things differently, and its filings portray Rignol as stalling and evasive. — Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026

Landlords found other ways to circumvent the law, such as pressuring residents into making side payments and stalling paperwork. — Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026