stilted
Stiff and unnatural
Stilted describes speech or writing that sounds stiff, formal, and unnatural—as if the speaker were walking on stilts rather than moving freely.
Stilted dialogue in fiction sounds like no one actually talks: The actors struggled with the stilted script.
Stilted manner or behavior is awkwardly formal, lacking ease or spontaneity.
Made, not natural
- contrivedDeliberately manufactured, unnatural
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
- unnaturalContrary to normal order
- stiffNot easily bent
wooden · labored · mechanical · awkward · halting · mannered · self-conscious · constrained
Single unvarying pitch
- woodenMade from timber
- haltingMarked by hesitation
- roboticStiff and unemotional
- flatLacking vertical variation
expressionless · deadpan · droning · lifeless · dull · toneless · leaden · uninflected
Unversified language
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- dictionChoice of words
- phrasingManner of expressing something
- syntaxRules for arranging words
wording · verbose · overwritten · clunky · awkward · labored · ponderous · leaden
Relating to formal rites
starched · buttoned-up · etiquette · protocol · decorum · reserved · aloof · distant
Affectedly grand in manner
- grandiloquentPretentiously elevated in speech
- bombasticExcessively inflated language
- floridExcessively ornate or ruddy
- ornateElaborately decorated
turgid · overblown · grandiose · ostentatious · pedantic · highfalutin · magniloquent · verbose
Lifted higher up
- elevatedRaised above usual level
- pilingsEmbedded structural columns
- postsPublished online content
- supportsSustains or reinforces
columns · piers · foundation · platform · waterfront · floodplain · coastal · boardwalk
artificial
Made, not natural
- contrivedDeliberately manufactured, unnatural
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
- unnaturalContrary to normal order
stiff · wooden · labored · mechanical · awkward · halting · mannered · self-conscious · constrained · studied
monotone
Single unvarying pitch
flat · expressionless · deadpan · droning · lifeless · dull · toneless · leaden · uninflected · clipped
prose
Unversified language
syntax · wording · verbose · overwritten · clunky · awkward · labored · ponderous · leaden · turgid
ceremonial
Relating to formal rites
prim · starched · buttoned-up · etiquette · protocol · decorum · reserved · aloof · distant · impersonal
pompous
Affectedly grand in manner
- grandiloquentPretentiously elevated in speech
- bombasticExcessively inflated language
- floridExcessively ornate or ruddy
ornate · turgid · overblown · grandiose · ostentatious · pedantic · highfalutin · magniloquent · verbose · lofty
raised
Lifted higher up
supports · columns · piers · foundation · platform · waterfront · floodplain · coastal · boardwalk · pylons
- theatricaltheatrical, dramatic, melodramatic, histrionic, hammy
- prose qualitiesclarity, eloquence, coherence, conciseness, flow
- clumsyclumsy, awkward, bumbling, bungling, fumbling
- robotic traitsmechanical, automated, programmed, monotone, machinelike
- speech qualitiesarticulate, clear, loud, soft, quiet
- uneasyanxious, nervous, jittery, edgy, tense
stiltednatural
Not artificially produced
conversational · fluent · spontaneous · informal · colloquial
- stilt walkingLocomotion using elongated poles
- stilt housesHomes built on posts
- stilt walkerPerson elevated on poles
- wooden stiltsPoles for walking tall
- stilted houseStructure built on posts