contrived 1 of 2

adjective

kən-ˈtrīvd How to pronounce contrived (audio)
Definition of contrivednext
as in strained
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality the contrived applause of a TV studio audience that has been told when to clap

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

contrived

2 of 2

verb

past tense of contrive
1
as in concocted
to create or think of by clever use of the imagination contrived abstract metal sculptures using old household utensils

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2
as in plotted
to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends the mischievous boys were always contriving and trying to pull the prank that would be the talk of the school

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3
as in negotiated
to plan out usually with subtle skill or care contrived a way of planning the surprise party without their catching on to it

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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 contrived
Adjective
The look manages to be on trend without being too contrived. — Selene Oliva, Glamour, 12 June 2026 Whereas Heineman’s film used its incredible access to the central couple to capture moments that come across as beautifully and uncomfortably intimate and unstaged, Bergh (The Greatest Love Story Never Told) uses his access to make everything pretty and entirely too contrived. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2026
Verb
The entire deal felt cheesy and contrived. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026 The ice bucket set-up for their initial confrontation felt contrived and Vida and Dodie’s dramatic actions involving their hotel room door felt out of character. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contrived
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrived
  1. strained
  2. concocted
  3. plotted
  4. negotiated
  5. mock
  6. devised
  7. manipulated
  8. unnatural
Adjective
  • Some are dealing with strained budgets and exorbitant medical bills, while others avoid the doctor in fear of the cost.
    — Ali Swenson, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Based on a Naver Webtoon of the same name that has amassed almost 3 billion views, the 10-part series follows the strained relationship of the Empress Navier and her husband Emperor Sovieshu.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of strained
Verb
  • In it, Bugliosi lays out the prosecutorial theory — one concocted to put away a man for murder who didn’t actually commit the crimes — that Manson was trying to jump-start a race war, called Helter Skelter.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The removal of Maelor, however, snowballed into this moment where that character’s absence didn’t allow for that horrific book moment to be realized, so another set of reasons was concocted.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of concocted
Verb
  • Emily’s misguided research ultimately proves that love stories can’t be plotted and graphed like science experiments; more modern studio romantic comedies could stand to learn the same lesson.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • At Hansen’s trial in 2009, prosecutors argued that the pair had plotted to kill MacNeil, 63, for money.
    — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of plotted
Verb
  • The deal was negotiated by Steven Bestwick of The Yellow Affair and Bill Guentzler and RJ Millard on behalf of Obscured Releasing.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Over the course of 23 bargaining sessions, the union and district representatives have negotiated on class size, wages and Special Education resources, among 57 total proposals.
    — Zachary Fletcher, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of negotiated
Adjective
  • The outfit consisted of a sleeveless, mock-neck blouse in mocha-brown, tucked into a tawny suede skirt that hit just above her ankles.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Mirroring the look of King’s footwear, Osaka sported a metallic silver pleated top with a mock neckline and no sleeves.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of mock
Verb
  • To create objects with collapsibility as a core feature, Toyonaga’s team devised an analytic design algorithm allowing incremental construction of complex scissored surfaces.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Then, in a famous 1937 paper, the mathematician Alan Turing devised a model based on hypothetical machines that could read and write symbols printed on an infinite tape according to a set of simple rules.
    — Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of devised
Verb
  • The association said the money was lost after criminals impersonated its leadership and manipulated financial transactions.
    — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Our politics, cultures, and wars manipulated by America to varying extents.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of manipulated
Adjective
  • Her parents refuse to see that there is something unnatural about their new baby boy and that an evil other presence haunts their stately home.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The researchers say the approach could help overcome limitations of existing humanoid control systems, which often require extensive fine-tuning or produce rigid, unnatural movements.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of unnatural

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Cite this Entry

“Contrived.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrived. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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