STILTED Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

stilted

adjective

ˈstil-təd

Definition of stilted

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of stilted Staffers are unfailingly warm and helpful, while never seeming stiff or stilted. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 June 2026 Tensions between Rian and Patrick flare when Rian drunkenly mentions a brief fling with Shiv, though the film’s clunky edit, which gives little room for the performances to breathe and play out organically within their contexts, makes these frictions feel stilted and juvenile. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 22 May 2026 Don’t Worry Darling, by contrast, felt too stilted and controlled, too programmed and predictable, almost as if the director felt obligated to rein in her stylistic impulses against a supposedly more complicated story. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stilted

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stilted

Adjective

Most companies find the first one uncomfortable, because nobody ever chose.

— Sanjay Srivastava, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Spending more time boarding isn’t merely uncomfortable or inconvenient.

— Paula Span, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of uncomfortable

Adjective

Diplomatic efforts today too often grant the Taliban a formal place at the table while limiting contact with Afghan women to informal consultations.

— Rina Amiri, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
Between now and then, there is much parsing of the 16-track album’s rich content to be done, with millions of words of formal and informal think-pieces to come.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of formal

Adjective

In addition, an awkward meeting between Ed and a smooth literary agent (Jake Lacy), along with a mini-subplot involving phone calls from Ed’s frustrated sister about their dying brother, come off slightly wedged in.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
The awkward part of all this, though, is that Anthropic isn’t making money yet.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of awkward

Adjective

New York has a nice blend of skill and compete in a system that should produce reliable NHL talent but still has a lot of work ahead in this next rebuild.

— Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
As for the rest of the space, the open-concept kitchen’s peninsula and granite countertops are a nice touch, as is the fact that the bedroom is big enough for a king-size mattress and a home office.

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of nice

Adjective

What used to be called UFOs and now go by the more decorous handle of UAPs—or unidentified anomalous phenomena—are being given the full investigatory treatment.

— Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
The press coverage in Austria and Germany had been relatively decorous.

— William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Definition of decorous

Adjective

Security will remain in place at the schools, officials said, and counselors will be available for students who feel uneasy about attending classes.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
But that blend of raucous laughs (OK, well, some raucous laughs, some mere attempts at them) and real world concerns makes for an uneasy watch, ping-ponging between moods and tones in unpredictable ways.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of uneasy

Adjective

It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
The ones named Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion by the judges make a ceremonious visit at the end of the day to the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in downtown Denver.

— Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2026

Definition of ceremonious

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stilt

stilted

stilts

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“Stilted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stilted. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of stilted

adjective

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