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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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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Recent Examples of stilted
Another example is The Last Barbeque (2008), which depicts a relaxed social gathering that is both familiar in concept and enigmatic in feel, within a somewhat stilted composition.
—
Precious Adesina, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Meanwhile, Athie finds warmth in Olivier’s detachment, ably using his deep voice for a stilted delivery that makes this wayward man feel quite at home bonding with a single chair.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 8 Feb. 2025
Mufasa opens in the stilted aftermath of the 2019 movie (also written by Nathanson).
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024
The rooms The camp has just nine tents branching off a stilted wooden walkway with plenty of space in between.
—Chris Schalkx, AFAR Media, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for stilted
Precious Adesina, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Meanwhile, Athie finds warmth in Olivier’s detachment, ably using his deep voice for a stilted delivery that makes this wayward man feel quite at home bonding with a single chair.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 8 Feb. 2025
Mufasa opens in the stilted aftermath of the 2019 movie (also written by Nathanson).
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024
The rooms The camp has just nine tents branching off a stilted wooden walkway with plenty of space in between.
—Chris Schalkx, AFAR Media, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for stilted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stilted
Adjective
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Say something that might make some people uncomfortable but will deeply resonate with your ideal clients.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
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And tariffs could have a perverse and uncomfortable upside, Caitlin Daniel, a researcher at Harvard, told me.—
Rachel Sugar,
The Atlantic,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Photo : Noel Kleinman/The Oppenheim Group The formal dining room.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
21 Mar. 2025
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This could range from formal presentations to informal conversations, emails or even social media within the company, depending on your audience and the nature of your message.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Historically an awkward public speaker, Johnson nevertheless saw the invitation as an opportunity to promote his plan for a voting rights bill.—
Michael Peregrine,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
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Things only get less interesting as that love triangles widens into an awkward kind of square, the chiaroscuro splendor of Soderbergh’s cinematography laboring to compensate for a murder-mystery that’s as scattered and impenetrable as Berlin itself.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Suede bags are still everywhere and a nice commercial proposal adapted to many trends.—
Sandra Salibian,
WWD,
17 Mar. 2025
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The sound quality is crisp and full-bodied, with a nice bass punch, and the Immersive Audio feature adds a fun, spatial touch to your listening.—
Shubham Yewale,
PCMAG,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Kisses her mouth, but the gesture is awkward, clumsy; their teeth strike together, and Brianna winces.—
Joyce Carol Oates,
The New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2025
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As well as making a star of Alicia Silverstone, the original movie showcased the talents of Paul Rudd who played her stepbrother Josh (and went onto become Phoebe’s partner in Friends and take on the role of Ant Man) and the late Brittany Murphy, who played Cher’s clumsy friend Tai.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Aside from a series of gruesome martyr scenes frescoed on the interior wall of the second ring in the late 16th century, the decor reflects late Imperial taste for decorous abstraction and costly materials.—
The New York Times,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
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Is there any decorous way to acknowledge my failure to do so over the past few years and to express my regret?—
Judith Martin,
The Mercury News,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Some medical and public-health institutions have settled into an uneasy détente with smoking alternatives.—
Carrie Battan,
The New Yorker,
10 Mar. 2025
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Based on the Chinese novel Fengshen Yanyi (Investiture Of The Gods), the story follows a demon child raised by humans, who forms an uneasy alliance with the dragon prince, Ao Bing, in an epic battle to protect their clans.—
Liz Shackleton,
Deadline,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The ceremony sets the stage for each day’s contests and activities which include a ceremonious entrance led by a Native American veteran color guard, visiting dignitaries and tribal royalty, followed by dancers of all ages.—
Staff Reports,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2025
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Roberts began the process while Melania was still finalizing her position, which may have disrupted the ceremonious act.—
Lizzie Hyman,
People.com,
20 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stilted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stilted. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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