halting

American  

[hawl-ting] / ˈhɔl tɪŋ /

adjective

1. faltering or hesitating, especially in speech.

2. faulty or imperfect.

3. limping or lame.

   a halting gait.

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halting British  

/ ˈhɔːltɪŋ /

adjective

1. hesitant

   halting speech

2. lame

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Other Word Forms

• haltingly adverb
• haltingness noun
• unhalting adjective
• unhaltingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of halting

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; halt ², -ing ²

Example Sentences

This was a reversal of Beijing’s tightened oversight in recent years, with authorities at one point halting approvals of videogame licenses after Xi voiced concern in 2021 about gaming addiction among Chinese youth.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the room he shared with his compatriots, he smiled easily and spoke halting English.

From Barron's

The eagerness of service companies to return despite past problems contrasts with the halting approach expressed by some of the largest U.S. producers.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Brands that have not been paid — many of whom are already halting shipments — will view the wholesale model with even greater skepticism,” he said.

From MarketWatch

Some patients may benefit from deprescribing—a careful process of reducing and halting some medications.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• awkward
• clumsy
• labored
• stumbling
• tentative