Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for stalled. Search instead for stalls.
Synonyms

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.


verb

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

Etymology

Origin of stalled

stall 1 ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Meanwhile, negotiations to end the Iran war apparently remain stalled.

From MarketWatch • May 31, 2026

In older fish brains, the ribosomes frequently stalled or collided with one another.

From Science Daily • May 29, 2026

“Domestically, incremental growth has stalled, stock growth is shrinking and a wave of new competitors is flooding in,” Midea Chief Executive Paul Fang said in a 2025 interview with Chinese publication LatePost.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

England were outclassed with both bat and ball in the first game of their three-match T20 series against India, but Knight's 21 from 24 balls stalled England's progress in pursuit of 189 to win.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

Genie stalled for time, lifting the jar and taking another sip, trying not to make a face even though he was pretty sure that Grandpop couldn’t see his face.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "stalled" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com