contrived
adjective
con·trived
kən-ˈtrīvd 
: having an unnatural or false appearance or quality : artificial, labored
a contrived plot
Synonyms
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
This can often result in new installments that not only feel contrived, but seem to strip away everything that made the original movie compelling in the first place.
—Megan McCluskey, TIME, 28 June 2024
Sadly, the same is true of the two leads in Joe Penhall’s contrived, adversarial three-hander about confrontations between a local opposition MP (member of parliament) and her angry constituent.
—David Benedict, Variety, 26 June 2024
Investigators believe their disappearance and death were part of a contrived plan between five people, including Tifany Adams, 54, the kids' grandmother who Butler was in a bitter custody battle with.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 22 May 2024
An All-Stars 9 episode where the contrived drama of the ruby slippers built to a true moment of pathos?
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for contrived 
Megan McCluskey, TIME, 28 June 2024
Sadly, the same is true of the two leads in Joe Penhall’s contrived, adversarial three-hander about confrontations between a local opposition MP (member of parliament) and her angry constituent.
—David Benedict, Variety, 26 June 2024
Investigators believe their disappearance and death were part of a contrived plan between five people, including Tifany Adams, 54, the kids' grandmother who Butler was in a bitter custody battle with.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 22 May 2024
An All-Stars 9 episode where the contrived drama of the ruby slippers built to a true moment of pathos?
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for contrived
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contrived.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Contrived.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contrived. Accessed 13 Jul. 2024.
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