stilted

adjective

stilt·​ed ˈstil-təd How to pronounce stilted (audio)
1
2
: having the curve beginning at some distance above the impost
a stilted arch
stiltedly adverb
stiltedness noun

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
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.
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 This was a stilted, corrupt attempt to juice a friend’s stock, and certainly beneath the office of the presidency. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stilted

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of stilted was in 1820

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stilted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stilted. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

stilted

adjective
stilt·​ed ˈstil-təd How to pronounce stilted (audio)
: not easy and natural
stilted speech

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