: proper or usual state or condition : order
out of kilter
Synonyms
Examples of kilter in a Sentence
since I dropped my food processor, it's been all out of kilter
Recent Examples on the Web
That means our reactions to individual results are out of kilter: in a campaign when City do nothing but win, drawing once at home can be fatal; in one where there’s more leeway for their rivals, the damage is limited.
—
Carl Anka, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
Sustaining the ability to see the world just a little off kilter is a muscle which requires exercise.
—Eric Fuller, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
These were the first in a series of escalating tariffs that kept stock markets off kilter for months.
—Garrett M. Graff, WIRED, 16 Jan. 2020
The guitar, played by Finlay Clark, is woozy and the drums, played by David Kennedy, are off kilter and confused.
—Pitchfork, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kilter 
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.
Carl Anka, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
Sustaining the ability to see the world just a little off kilter is a muscle which requires exercise.
—Eric Fuller, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
These were the first in a series of escalating tariffs that kept stock markets off kilter for months.
—Garrett M. Graff, WIRED, 16 Jan. 2020
The guitar, played by Finlay Clark, is woozy and the drums, played by David Kennedy, are off kilter and confused.
—Pitchfork, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kilter
Dictionary Entries Near kilter
Cite this Entry
“Kilter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kilter. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
kilter
noun
kil·ter
ˈkil-tər 
: proper condition
the TV is out of kilter
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share