stilted

adjective

stilt·​ed ˈstil-təd 

1

a

: pompous, lofty

b

: formal, stiff

2

: having the curve beginning at some distance above the impost

a stilted arch

stiltedly adverb

stiltedness noun

Synonyms

• awkward
• clumsy
• gauche
• graceless
• inelegant
• rough-hewn
• rustic
• rustical
• stiff
• uncomfortable
• uneasy
• ungraceful
• wooden

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

Legs wheeling, steve is a stilted shadow on the side of the road, a hundred feet before the finish line, waiting for me. —Outside Online, 30 Oct. 2024

The pilot opens with the arrival of his new second-in-command Dag, played by Lolly Adefope, who provides a somewhat stilted expository voice. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2024

Instead, their stilted onscreen camaraderie does the film no favors, especially as Andy and Anna gradually begin to get on better. —Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 27 Sep. 2024

Vance, meanwhile, is the stilted right-winger who went to an Ivy League school, spent six years as a venture capitalist, and likes to spread conspiracy theories. —Condé Nast, The New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

stilted

adjective

stilt·​ed ˈstil-təd 

: not easy and natural

stilted speech