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
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And also burst into laughter – uncomfortable laughter.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
29 June 2025
-
The uncomfortable truth is that economics, not ethics, will be the final arbiter of the transition's speed, even if ethics gets to set the goal.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Adjective
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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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Despite the enthusiastic rollout, no formal partnership exists between TON and the United Arab Emirates government.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Barely a week goes by without some fresh young talent arriving in West London to pose for the media with a Blue jersey and an awkward grin.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
The next mayor, like so many of his predecessors, will have to engage in awkward negotiations with politicians in Albany.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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Specialty restaurants on Westerdam, which come at an extra cost, include Pinnacle Grill, a steakhouse-style affair serving prime steaks and seafood, and Canaletto, which does nice Italian fare.—
Susan B. Barnes,
Travel + Leisure,
1 July 2025
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The answer is a cool $2.8 million, probably enough to buy a really nice apartment in Ghent near the River Scheldt.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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At times, Alcaraz was almost as clumsy as Federer in his last hurrah here against Hubert Hurkacz in 2021.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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But things get weighed down by a clumsy body-swapping plot and a pairing between Joe and 22 that never fully pays off.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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Outlook: Stability or Strain? Oil markets in 2024 were defined by an uneasy equilibrium.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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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 13 Jul. 2025.
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