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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Despite the full lineup and passionate patriotic crowd in Seattle, Team USA looked uncomfortable from the start, fell behind early, made sloppy mistakes and could not keep up with the Belgians, who move on to face Spain in the quarterfinals.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
Upworthy reported that constant multitasking and algorithm-driven content have trained a lot of people’s brains to treat stillness as uncomfortable, pointing out that the average person keeps five to 10 browser tabs open at once.

— Allison Palmer July 7, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026

Definition of uncomfortable

Adjective

Although the achievement is still awaiting formal certification, the milestone highlights the rapid evolution of high-performance drones for military applications.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Braverman was writing in response to another parliamentarian who noted that Jamaica planned to lodge a formal petition for reparations later this year.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Definition of formal

Adjective

Experts note that old brand safety rules are being recalibrated; the key is for brands to align authentically with the show's energy without appearing awkward.

— Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Suki, a vocal Black woman with an at times vulgar persona, whereas Althoff, a white woman, gained a reputation as an awkward, seemingly timid interviewer on her The Really Good Podcast.

— Meagan Jordan, VIBE.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of awkward

Adjective

Quince This matching set feels especially nice on warm nights, thanks to its naturally cooling bamboo viscose material.

— Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
Worth checking out The Nest Fragrances Reed Diffuser will keep your bathroom smelling nice with 21 lush scents, including lemon and mint, apricot tea, ginger and vanilla bean, ocean mist and sea salt, grapefruit and more.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 6 July 2026

Definition of nice

Adjective

But more broadly, as streaming became the dominant way audiences consume entertainment, a shelf full of stuff started to look like a relic of a clumsier time that most folks were happy to forget.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 10 July 2026
The decision last fall followed clumsy discussion by Kennedy’s dubiously qualified advisors, who make up the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026

Definition of clumsy

Adjective

Now Gauff and her next opponent, Karolina Muchova, face off Thursday for a chance to transform their mutually uneasy relationships with the green blades beneath their feet into the biggest grass-court breakthrough of their careers.

— Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
The result is a tension stretched nearly to the snapping point, then resolved in an uneasy detente.

— Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 6 July 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

Browse Nearby Words

stilt

stilted

stilts

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Stilted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stilted. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of stilted

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on stilted

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

fulcrum

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes