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
Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2025
Central was able to drive down to the Keller 15-yard line before stalling, but a 32-yard field goal attempt on the third play of the fourth quarter sailed wide left.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2025
The 2024–2025 season shows the weakest uptake, stalling below 50% through April.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2025
The system's future intensity and track were described as uncertain, with possible outcomes ranging from stalling offshore to making landfall as either a tropical storm or a hurricane.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
The government has pledged to eliminate the disease by the end of this year – but experts say that goal is dangerously out of reach – with health care system gaps and socioeconomic barriers stalling efforts.
—CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025
The students at the Denver college who were waiting to learn the popular trade saw their program paused, stalling their education.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
One veteran Hollywood insider not connected to Disney said the utter blandness of ABC’s Wednesday statement is evidence that the company was winging it and essentially stalling for time.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
The House’s tools are blunter, by stalling other legislation, especially appropriations.
—James B. Speta, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 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
Despite earlier National Hurricane Center predictions of strong winds and heavy rain across the Carolinas next week, most weather models now show the storm slowing or stalling well off the South Carolina coast, Kimball said.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2025
Central was able to drive down to the Keller 15-yard line before stalling, but a 32-yard field goal attempt on the third play of the fourth quarter sailed wide left.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2025
The 2024–2025 season shows the weakest uptake, stalling below 50% through April.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2025
The system's future intensity and track were described as uncertain, with possible outcomes ranging from stalling offshore to making landfall as either a tropical storm or a hurricane.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
The government has pledged to eliminate the disease by the end of this year – but experts say that goal is dangerously out of reach – with health care system gaps and socioeconomic barriers stalling efforts.
—CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025
The students at the Denver college who were waiting to learn the popular trade saw their program paused, stalling their education.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
One veteran Hollywood insider not connected to Disney said the utter blandness of ABC’s Wednesday statement is evidence that the company was winging it and essentially stalling for time.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
The House’s tools are blunter, by stalling other legislation, especially appropriations.
—James B. Speta, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalling
Verb
-
The sanctions, which will go into effect unless there’s a last-minute deal Friday, will include freezing Iranian assets abroad, halting arms deals with Tehran and penalizing any development of Iran’s ballistic missile program.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The best shot at halting the gerrymander, experts and some Democrats say, is fighting the map in court and at the ballot box.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The story centers on a young woman with gerontophobia who goes to work at a hospice after neglecting her dying parents.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The two-century-old sculpture of a dying lion, carved out of the natural rock wall, commemorates Swiss soldiers killed during the French Revolution.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Teams have no choice but to continue to throw numbers at stopping the run.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Sep. 2025
-
That's the same deadline that Grassley gave Noem to respond about stopping student visa authorizations.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The 37-second, black and white commercial shows Mickey crashing a boat into Minnie Mouse, prompting her to call the law firm.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Sep. 2025
-
That crashing sea, the shoreline jagged with black rock.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The third-year running back had a career-high 181 yards from scrimmage, catching four passes for a career-high 106 receiving yards and leading the Falcons with 75 rushing yards on 17 carries.—
Josh Kendall,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Golf talk was top of mind as guests shared their photos from the tournament and made plans to hit the West Side driving course early the next morning, before catching a helicopter out to the final.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Most of the charges are for assaulting a federal law enforcement officer or failing to obey a lawful order, the district attorney’s office said in press releases.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Of course, everyone isn't innately open to failing or recovering from setbacks.—
Ashton Jackson,
CNBC,
28 Sep. 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
-
In terms of how the oral medicine works, JOURNAVX provides relief by blocking pain signals found in the periphery, not in the brain, like traditional opioids.—
Essence,
Essence,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Per city guidance, leave a one-foot gap between the curb and the leaf piles to avoid blocking storm drains and ensure all leaves can be picked up.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stalling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalling. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share