When we say that something has been brought to a screeching halt, we mean that it has come to a sudden and complete stop. However, there are many antonyms for this phrase that describe different degrees of slowing down or stopping. Instead of screeching halt, we could use terms like gradual decrease, slow down, ease off, taper off, come to a halt, or come to a stop. Each of these phrases suggests different levels of speed, intensity, and urgency in the stopping of an activity or process. Whether we need to convey the urgency of a sudden cessation or the smooth conclusion of a project, there are many ways to describe the opposite of bringing something to a screeching halt.