stilted

adjective

stilt·​ed ˈstil-təd 

1

a

: pompous, lofty

a speech full of stilted language

b

: formal, stiff

a stilted letter of acknowledgement

2

: having the curve beginning at some distance above the impost

a stilted arch

stiltedly adverb

stiltedness noun

Synonyms of stilted

• uncomfortable
• awkward
• clumsy
• uneasy
• wooden
• embarrassed

Examples of stilted in a Sentence

the conversation was somewhat stilted as we didn't seem to share any interests

a stilted letter of apology that was written and accepted with equal measures of insincerity

Recent Examples on the Web

The entry-level category lagoon studio suite starts at a generous 788 square-feet of indoor space, coupled with a 1,016-square-foot private patio with a heated plunge pool; for a bit more space, including a generous separate living room, book a stilted room that rests over the water. —Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 3 Jan. 2026

There are [the Sama-Bajau], people in Indonesia who live on stilted homes and live on rafts. —Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025

Yet Seehorn and Wydra’s interactions are more stilted than charged. —Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 Nov. 2025

The wording feels too formal, too stilted, too reminiscent of a business introduction. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for stilted

• jilted
• quilted
• silted
• tilted
• wilted

Kids Definition

stilted

adjective

stilt·​ed ˈstil-təd 

: not easy and natural

stilted speech