1
as in to stop
to bring (something) to a standstill
traffic was halted by the parade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to cease
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the private eye abruptly halted his surveillance of the building upon being spotted by his subject
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to end
to come to an end
all filming halted when the star of the movie quit in a huff
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to limp
to walk while favoring one leg
even with her twisted ankle, she managed to halt along and complete her Walk for Peace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to hesitate
to show uncertainty about the right course of action
she was often confused, halting between the responsibilities of her job and the demands of her home life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in standstill
a point in a struggle where neither side is capable of winning or willing to give in
negotiations are at a halt, with neither management nor the union budging on the issue of salary limits
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in cessation
the stopping of a process or activity
gardening came to a halt during the week of solid rain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 halt
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Then a spending pull back beginning in 2023 halted momentum and more stages lost tenants (especially as broadcasters cut down orders and episode counts) and occupancy rates began falling.
—
Erik Hayden,
HollywoodReporter,
30 June 2026
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
Citizens are demanding the project’s halt, citing a lack of transparency and concerns that in many similar projects environmental standards were not met.
—
ABC News,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for halt
Verb
As a means of halting the German and his squad made up of La Masia products such as Lamine Yamal, Spain internationals, and international veterans, Real Madrid president has brought back Jose Mourinho.
—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Then a spending pull back beginning in 2023 halted momentum and more stages lost tenants (especially as broadcasters cut down orders and episode counts) and occupancy rates began falling.
—
Erik Hayden,
HollywoodReporter,
30 June 2026
Noun
After the suit was filed, Van said plans for all future performances with Lizzo ground to a halt.
—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
Citizens are demanding the project’s halt, citing a lack of transparency and concerns that in many similar projects environmental standards were not met.
—
ABC News,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for halt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for halt
Verb
-
When there was a pause in the action, referee Raphael Claus stopped the match to look at VAR to determine whether Balogun committed a foul worthy of a red card.
-
Making new friends isn’t something that has to stop at a certain point in your life.
Verb
-
As of Monday evening, no formal announcement had been made regarding when the facility would cease operations or when the demobilization process would be completed.
-
Haiti ceased making payments in 1947.
Verb
-
Soon after then-President Nicolás Maduro was captured by the US in January, Venezuela ended Cuba’s long-standing medical mission in the country, cutting off a key resource in underserved communities.
-
Kirby gave up a one-out double to Josh Lowe in the fifth but struck out the side — including Neto — to end the inning.
Verb
-
Between that and his missing half the season, the Bucks limped to a 50-loss season.
-
The remarkable performance by Messi laid to rest any concern about his hamstring scare, which had fans worried after he was seen limping off of the field during a Major League Soccer matchup on Sunday, May 24.
Verb
-
When King asked if the unnamed celebrity was the one, Brown didn't hesitate.
-
The girls don’t hesitate to lay into him either with Trinity, Melanie, and Aniya all coming to Kenzie’s impassioned defense.
Noun
-
Amid a Republican rebellion to tighten voting restrictions, the House of Representatives is at a standstill, unable to pass key pieces of legislation that keep Americans safe and the government's wheels turning.
-
Auto traffic on the Intercity Viaduct (today’s Lewis and Clark Viaduct) jammed and came to a standstill.
Noun
-
Starting an exercise program, eating better, smoking cessation -- these are all examples of behaviors that require serious commitment to implement and maintain.
-
Tehran insists that the deal’s implementation start with a cessation of all fighting — including between Israel and Hezbollah.
Verb
-
How these issues are handled could fuel the engine of progress on some seemingly intractable issues over the next two years, or stall it.
-
The campaign, which Zelenskyy has said aims to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, has choked Russian fuel supplies and military deliveries, stalling Moscow’s efforts on the battlefield and heaping pressure on Putin, Western officials and analysts say.
Cite this Entry
“Halt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/halt. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
