Haltingly

Haltingly describes an action or speech performed with hesitation, uncertainty, and frequent pauses. It suggests a lack of confidence or fluency, often stemming from fear, shyness, unfamiliarity with the subject matter, or a physical impairment. The pauses and stumbles can make the action seem labored, slow, and interrupted. The word implies a tentative approach, where progress is made in fits and starts, as if the person or process is struggling to overcome an obstacle. The 'halting' nature can be visual (e.g., a hesitant walk) or auditory (e.g., stuttering speech), and it conveys an impression of a lack of decisiveness or skill.

Haltingly meaning with examples

• The nervous student approached the podium haltingly, clutching her notes and avoiding eye contact. Her voice trembled, and she stammered over her introduction, clearly illustrating her unease and lack of experience with public speaking. Each word was delivered with a pronounced pause, and the audience sensed her self-doubt as she began to speak.
• After the accident, he walked haltingly, leaning heavily on a cane. The pain was etched on his face as he took each slow step. The road to recovery was evident in his slow, labored gait. It reminded those who looked on of the toll his injury took on his physical form.
• She recounted the traumatic event haltingly, her voice breaking several times. The pain of the memory was palpable in her hesitant narration. She struggled to find the right words, and the pauses added to the emotional weight of the story. The effect of the trauma could be seen.
• The software downloaded haltingly, displaying intermittent progress bars and unexplained delays. The download, instead of being a quick process, was a sluggish crawl. The users worried about the long wait, and hoped the file would be received safely.
• He haltingly accepted the award, his speech a series of thank you's that were constantly stopped by his emotions. He cleared his throat and stumbled over his words, overwhelmed by the honor. The event made him more unsure in himself, but that was ok.