The phrase "brought to a screeching halt" means that something has abruptly come to a stop with a loud and sudden noise. There are many antonyms for this phrase, including "smoothly continued," "gradually slowed," "slowly came to a stop," and "gently halted." These phrases indicate a more peaceful and calm ending to something rather than a jarring and forceful one. In situations where it's better to avoid abrupt or sudden changes, these antonyms can be useful. The antonyms of "brought to a screeching halt" can be used to describe the end of a project, travel, or even relationships.