contrived
adjective
con·trived
kən-ˈtrīvd 
: having an unnatural or false appearance or quality : artificial, labored
a contrived plot
Examples of contrived in a Sentence
… it may remind readers of Christopher Nolan's ingeniously contrived mystery film "Memento" …
—
Joyce Carol Oates, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2005
The music industry has become far more image conscious and contrived since her first album affected me so profoundly …
—Lisa Marie Presley, Time, 18 Apr. 2005
There are some who scorn that sterling art form, the afternoon soap opera, alleging that its characters are unbelievable, its plots contrived and its action negligible.
—Lydel Sims, Assignment: Memphis, 1982
The movie's contrived ending was a big disappointment.
The results of the test seemed somewhat contrived.
Joyce Carol Oates, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2005
The music industry has become far more image conscious and contrived since her first album affected me so profoundly …
—Lisa Marie Presley, Time, 18 Apr. 2005
There are some who scorn that sterling art form, the afternoon soap opera, alleging that its characters are unbelievable, its plots contrived and its action negligible.
—Lydel Sims, Assignment: Memphis, 1982
The movie's contrived ending was a big disappointment.
The results of the test seemed somewhat contrived.
Recent Examples on the Web
The author is particularly impatient with the popular dissemination of the often limited findings of neuroscience, and with the way that vulnerable new mothers are bullied by headlines that seem contrived to prompt a sense of inadequacy in those who are most likely already overwhelmed.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
Use a curling iron or hot rollers for more rounded ends with a bend or a flat iron for a less-contrived style with a bit of edge.
—Elise Tabin, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026
Her recent fiction can seem more contrived.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Rarely do these conflicts feel contrived or exaggerated.
—Judy Berman, Time, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrived
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Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
Use a curling iron or hot rollers for more rounded ends with a bend or a flat iron for a less-contrived style with a bit of edge.
—Elise Tabin, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026
Her recent fiction can seem more contrived.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Rarely do these conflicts feel contrived or exaggerated.
—Judy Berman, Time, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrived
Cite this Entry
“Contrived.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contrived. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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