stumbling
adj.adj. describing someone or something that trips or moves in an unsteady way. It is often used to describe a person who is losing their balance or a process that is having trouble starting.
adj. characterised by a loss of balance or unsteady movement; often used figuratively to describe a hesitant or error-prone progression. Frequently appears as a participial adjective before a noun.
The stumbling toddler finally reached his mother's arms.
After a stumbling start to the season, the team finally won their first game last night.
The diplomat's stumbling explanation failed to satisfy the committee, leading to further questions about the transparency of the recent negotiations.
Often used attributively before a noun to describe physical movement or metaphorical progress.