halting

adjective

halt·​ing ˈhȯl-tiŋ How to pronounce halting (audio)
: marked by a lack of sureness or effectiveness
spoke in a halting manner
haltingly adverb

Examples of halting in a Sentence

She answered in a halting voice. The baby took a few halting steps. Progress in the negotiations has been halting.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The script musters scant interest in Niki’s career ambitions and romantic complications, and her halting conversations with her mother keep chasing a climactic point of mutual understanding that never arrives — a poignant impasse, perhaps, but a difficult one to structure a film around. Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 May 2025 There’s more evidence of his mental decline in today’s publication of a book detailing his aides’ and confidants’ efforts to hide the effects of age in the now octogenarian and even more evidence in the release of the audio of his halting performance with former Special Counsel Robert Hur. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 May 2025 June 27, 2024: Debate against Trump Questions mount over Biden's mental acuity and fitness for office following his largely halting debate performance against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 19 May 2025 There are also several compelling performances, though Baldwin’s somewhat halting, somber turn is not among them. Jocelyn Noveck, Boston Herald, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for halting

Word History

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of halting was in 1585

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Cite this Entry

“Halting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/halting. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

halting

adjective
halt·​ing ˈhȯl-tiŋ How to pronounce halting (audio)
: being unsure or hesitant
spoke in a halting manner
haltingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on halting

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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