1
as in stops
to bring (something) to a standstill
traffic was halted by the parade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ceases
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 ends
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 limps
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 hesitates
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 jams
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 cessations
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
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Recent Examples of halts
Ellis Juhlin, NPR, 18 May 2026
But Ho's order now halts that effective date.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 1 May 2026
March 2 Oil and gas prices jumped during the first trading day since the strikes, as the war halts energy exports from the Middle East.
—Emma Graham,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
Weather Extremes While snapdragons prefer cool weather, extreme cold, especially a late freeze, halts blooming until temperatures warm.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
And even if Israel halts its strikes on Iran, there’s no guarantee Tehran will reciprocate.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
But if bad weather or any other factors like an unforeseen issue with the spacecraft halts the countdown, NASA has several other backup dates available in April.
—Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 31 Mar. 2026
Global oil prices have spiked as Iran halts traffic through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, where one-fifth of the world’s oil typically passes through from the Persian Gulf to customers worldwide.
—Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
The decision halts an order by Kennedy — announced in January — to end broad recommendations for all children to be vaccinated against flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis and RSV.
—Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
Former leaders warn that the loss of institutional knowledge, combined with halts to the incoming pipeline of public health workers, may lead to a long-term crisis.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
Automotive industry analysts are forecasting that another microchip shortage could hit in the coming months, which could increase risks for production halts as costs skyrocket.
—Breana Noble, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Nerves of an energy crisis intensified over the weekend as oil producers in the Gulf announced further halts to production, with Bahrain’s national oil company declaring force majeure.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
The abrupt disruption resulted in chip shortages and production halts at several automakers.
—Sarah Jacob, Bloomberg, 14 Jan. 2026
Conflict in Yemen has prompted air traffic halts — leaving about 600 tourists stranded on a remote island.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
The fact that any soliloquy halts dramatic action also poses a challenge.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2025
Verb
As the federal government halts plans to address climate change, states, cities, regions, and even neighborhoods are trying to fill the gap by cutting climate pollution and adapting to extreme weather.
—Ellis Juhlin, NPR, 18 May 2026
But Ho's order now halts that effective date.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 1 May 2026
March 2 Oil and gas prices jumped during the first trading day since the strikes, as the war halts energy exports from the Middle East.
—Emma Graham,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
Weather Extremes While snapdragons prefer cool weather, extreme cold, especially a late freeze, halts blooming until temperatures warm.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
And even if Israel halts its strikes on Iran, there’s no guarantee Tehran will reciprocate.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
But if bad weather or any other factors like an unforeseen issue with the spacecraft halts the countdown, NASA has several other backup dates available in April.
—Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 31 Mar. 2026
Global oil prices have spiked as Iran halts traffic through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, where one-fifth of the world’s oil typically passes through from the Persian Gulf to customers worldwide.
—Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
The decision halts an order by Kennedy — announced in January — to end broad recommendations for all children to be vaccinated against flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis and RSV.
—Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
In practice the printer ran for about 3 months (including setup and halts), whereas a traditional cast bridge might have taken 3–4 times longer.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
Former leaders warn that the loss of institutional knowledge, combined with halts to the incoming pipeline of public health workers, may lead to a long-term crisis.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
Automotive industry analysts are forecasting that another microchip shortage could hit in the coming months, which could increase risks for production halts as costs skyrocket.
—Breana Noble, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Nerves of an energy crisis intensified over the weekend as oil producers in the Gulf announced further halts to production, with Bahrain’s national oil company declaring force majeure.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
The abrupt disruption resulted in chip shortages and production halts at several automakers.
—Sarah Jacob, Bloomberg, 14 Jan. 2026
Conflict in Yemen has prompted air traffic halts — leaving about 600 tourists stranded on a remote island.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
The fact that any soliloquy halts dramatic action also poses a challenge.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for halts
Verb
-
This court order temporarily stops most collection activities, including lawsuits, wage garnishments, bank levies and collection calls.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
-
The team stops functioning as a unit and starts behaving as a collection of individuals.—
Rick Burton,
Sportico.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The archaeologists and researchers of the Israel Antiquities Authority are constantly at work because this city never ceases to surprise.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
-
The imposing tower never ceases to amaze local resident Ogden Driskill, whose family has ranched on the land at its base for generations.—
Marnie Hunter,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
But Polis, whose final term ends early next year, will also leave office having checked off some issues that have lingered for years.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
15 May 2026
-
Co-owner Danielle Dore said the move ends 52 years of renting and will bring more seating, a dog-friendly patio and the same all-day breakfast focus.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
None at all leads to slow, pale, sad-looking growth that limps through the season.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The unchanged chain was dubbed Ethereum Classic, which still limps along today, though its market cap is far less than 1% of actual Ethereum.—
Emin Gün Sirer,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The mother in Frederick County still hesitates.—
Natasha Dartigue,
Baltimore Sun,
16 May 2026
-
His grandson, Jack Schlossberg, who is running for Congress, never hesitates to remind audiences of his lineage.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
There's nothing better than heading home from a trip with goodies, including local jams, veggies, and treats.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
11 May 2026
-
Their tart stalks are staples in sweet dishes, such as pies, jams, and crumbles, but can also be used in savory dishes and even beverages.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Temporary cessations of hostility, but no permanent closing of the moral and social divide between debtor and creditor, and no giving up on the thought that some lives matter more than others.—
Henry Freedland,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This process stalls improvements for years.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The irony is that, over time, those same systems become the choke points that determine who can scale and who stalls.—
Alexandre de Vigan,
Forbes.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Halts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/halts. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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