1
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance
the conversation was somewhat stilted as we didn't seem to share any interests
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
a stilted letter of apology that was written and accepted with equal measures of insincerity
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stilted
The awkward commercial has recently begun to recirculate around the internet, resulting in pairs of TikTokers recreating the visual in endearing clips gently poking at the stilted chemistry of the original.
—
Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 29 May 2025
Why do American actors sound so stilted when playing characters from the 19th century when British actors sound so natural?
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
Nabulsi’s inter-generational drama is carefully composed, though the movie’s other subplots (concerning its handful of American and British characters) tend to be more stilted.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
And even in what was a stilted match played in an increasingly irritable atmosphere, Rogers and Tielemans delivered with an assist each.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stilted
Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 29 May 2025
Why do American actors sound so stilted when playing characters from the 19th century when British actors sound so natural?
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
Nabulsi’s inter-generational drama is carefully composed, though the movie’s other subplots (concerning its handful of American and British characters) tend to be more stilted.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
And even in what was a stilted match played in an increasingly irritable atmosphere, Rogers and Tielemans delivered with an assist each.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stilted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stilted
Adjective
-
But a slightly uncomfortable conversation is better than resentment.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
11 July 2025
-
As the narrative has expanded into continuation and origin stories, like Dexter: New Blood and Dexter: Original Sin, Hall, 54, has returned as Dexter Morgan for even more uncomfortable experiences, while still out for blood.—
Jeff Conway,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Mamdani has secured endorsements from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, but lacks formal support from Hochul and two other prominent New York lawmakers, Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Hakeem Jeffries.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
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But since azaleas tolerate heavy pruning and respond by sending out new shoots all along remaining stems, the shrubs work well when sheared into a formal hedge.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
Advertisement Advertisement To illustrate this point, consider the best man at a wedding who, instead of celebrating the couple, shares personal stories that only serve to embarrass them, often with awkward details that have no place in such a tender moment.—
Matt Abrahams,
Time,
12 July 2025
-
An historic night at Madison Square Garden on Friday night turned into an awkward moment in the wee hours of Saturday morning at the Taylor-Serrano 3 post-fight press conference.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
And, the embroidery on the pillowcases adds a nice touch.—
Shalwah Evans,
People.com,
14 July 2025
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The units also vary in shape: the cube is nice for nightstands, while the wider grand size works well on large dressers.—
Jamie Fischer,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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And Hank’s own clumsy attempts at hypermasculine child-rearing often come from his father, Cotton (Toby Huss).—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
7 July 2025
-
Gone are are the days of clumsy imagery and texts and fake sign-in pages that can be detected in an instant.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
More decorous versions simply excluded Jews, Blacks, and others to create those ethnic enclaves Vance decries in the form of elite institutions from country clubs to, formerly, Congress and the courts.—
Rebecca Solnit
August 23,
Literary Hub,
23 Aug. 2024
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Instead, they are selected and rearranged to form a narrative of gradual debasement: a semantic descent from the decorous to the vulgar, often ending with crude references to the body.—
Jeffrey Weiss,
Artforum,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
Outlook: Stability or Strain? Oil markets in 2024 were defined by an uneasy equilibrium.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
Given that uneasy reminder, the small victory ultimately won by King and his followers is even more extraordinary and potent.—
Sophie van Bastelaer,
EW.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
Passover is a ceremonious occasion to rejoice in Judaism, especially during the first family meal or Seder, according to britannica.com.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
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Once RiRi and the baby made a ceremonious second entrance to the show, the ‘defile’ finally began at 10:35.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stilted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stilted. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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