haltingly
3
7.4
- adverb
- /ˈhɔltɪŋli/
:
titubeando
- Quiet conversations began haltingly, as though none of the guests understood the reason for this gathering.
- only haltingly
He read excruciatingly slowly and haltingly.
- He read excruciatingly slowly and haltingly.
- And one of the doll people slouching against the wall on my left turns its head haltingly on a stiff little neck and look straight at me.
Examples
-
"What did you, um," Myrmeen said haltingly, "what did you want to tell me?"
Fiction book (1992) -
Hadley nudged Josh and, haltingly, they walked closer.
Fiction book (1993) -
Why do you speak so haltingly?
-
"But I read a review about that..." said Dennis haltingly.
Fiction book (1996) -
"Well, Mrs.," he haltingly started, "women can't own property in this town."
Fiction book (2000) -
When I spoke Japanese, even haltingly, they beamed with pride, as if I were their child learning her first words.
Fiction book (1996) -
"Are you all right, Madame Passano?" he asked haltingly.
Fiction book (2002) -
"There's one other thing we'd like to ask," Shirley said haltingly.
Fiction book (1999) -
Paul spoke haltingly at first, approaching unfamiliar words like treacherous currents.
Fiction book (1997) -
He spoke haltingly, unsure of how to express his feelings.
Synonyms
30
5.1
In a way that shows hesitation or not being sure
14
3.2
In a slow, unsure way because of doubt
7
3.2
Move or speak in a shy, nervous way because of low confidence
1
8.1
To speak or move in a shaky, nervous way
1
6.1
In a slow, unsure way that shows doubt
1
7.4
In a slow, unsure way that shows little confidence
1
8.2
To act in a shy and scared way
In a way that shows someone is not sure
In a stopping and starting way with short repeated pauses
With an unsteady, unsure voice or movement that shows doubt
In a clumsy, hesitant way when someone moves or speaks
To do something in a nervous or afraid way
Antonyms
How Hesitant
1
4.9
3
7.4
14
3.2
30
5.1
13
3.0
173
2.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Haltingly comes from the short word halt, which means 'to stop' or 'pause', plus the adverb ending -ly. So to speak haltingly is to speak with small stops or pauses, usually because you are unsure or nervous.