stalled

American  

[stawld] / stɔld /

adjective

1. stuck or not moving; at a standstill.

   A spacewalk will be required to repair the stalled robotic arm on the space station's solar array.

   Intense storm systems along the stalled cold front have dropped heavy rains throughout the metro area.

2. (of a motor or vehicle) having come to a stop because of engine failure or a poor fuel mixture.

   Rain and sleet smack the surface of the lake as Jules fumbles with a stalled outboard motor.

3. (of an aircraft or airfoil) no longer generating lift due to an excessive angle of attack.

   At a sustained high angle the airfoil becomes useless, resulting in a stalled aircraft.

4. kept in a stall, a compartment usually intended for the accommodation of one animal.

   Our overwhelming first impression is of the piquant smell of sheep blending with the manure of the stalled oxen and a milk cow.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of stall.

Etymology

Origin of stalled

stall ¹ ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Barger continued to call for more federal support to help finance the recovery, something that Carmona said would help homeowners who remain stalled.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Social Circle's facility was originally slated to open in April, but work appears to have stalled.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Reports describe last-minute efforts to hold onto the job and mounting frustration over stalled prosecutions and the handling of high-profile files tied to Jeffrey Epstein.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

But clean air activists say more is needed, and are pushing for the government to move quickly on clean air legislation that stalled last year with the dissolution of parliament.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

According to the television news, a tropical wave had stalled over southern Florida.

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen

Related Words

• frozen
• immobile
• inert
• lifeless
• paralyzed
• stagnant
• stationary
• steadfast