as in strained
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
the contrived applause of a TV studio audience that has been told when to clap
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in concocted
to create or think of by clever use of the imagination
contrived abstract metal sculptures using old household utensils
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of contrived
Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025
Her passion for her dogs and genuine stories are more effective than any contrived marketing strategy.
—Patrice Poltzer, Contributor, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2025
Wear: Our critic explains how to style men’s white jeans without looking too contrived.
Boost: Can supplements do anything for your immune system?
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
That means going well beyond contrived jobs like flyball, obedience trials, and canine musical freestyle.
—Jessica Pierce, TIME, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for contrived
Adjective
The contrived encounter can be forgiven because their reunion allows Patterson to pay sweet homage to a particular kind of Oklahoman culture.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025
Her passion for her dogs and genuine stories are more effective than any contrived marketing strategy.
—Patrice Poltzer, Contributor, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2025
Wear: Our critic explains how to style men’s white jeans without looking too contrived.
Boost: Can supplements do anything for your immune system?
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
That means going well beyond contrived jobs like flyball, obedience trials, and canine musical freestyle.
—Jessica Pierce, TIME, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for contrived
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrived
Adjective
-
This causes the voice to break and have a strained sound.—
Kate Nalepinski,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
-
Despite the strained relationship between both countries at the political level, the Tempo are focused on having a smooth launch next year and adding to the W’s current momentum.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
The North America deal was negotiated between Rachel White, Vertical’s Manager of Acquisitions & Sales, and Daniel Diamond of Diamond Media, which is handling sales.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2025
-
The deal was negotiated between Signature Entertainment’s Acquisitions & Development Executive Max Hart and DeskPop Entertainment’s Executive Vice President Mat Levy.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In the past year, Sanders was projected as high as a top 3 NFL draft pick in some mock drafts.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
7 May 2025
-
With a draft order now known, a collection of our NHL reporters combined for a mock draft of the first 16 picks.—
Corey Pronman,
New York Times,
6 May 2025
Verb
-
Before the Frazier and Foreman fight was devised, former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali was stripped of the title.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Price controls don’t work, whether they’re devised domestically or imported from abroad.—
Sally Pipes,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In Season 4 of the Max comedy, Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels have manipulated their way into their respective dream jobs as host and head writer of a late-night talk show on network TV.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Apr. 2025
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This country is being manipulated by two people — and those too afraid to have the courage to oppose them.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Multiple sclerosis bends his limbs in sharp, unnatural angles.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2025
-
A week ago, TikTok birthed a strange meme, proposing that the big hat that Zendaya wore back in 2014 during the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party contained something unnatural.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Verb
-
This reactor stands out because its sophisticated solar absorber is carefully engineered to retain as much heat as possible while reducing losses.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Given the sensitivity of the LiDAR to performance to temperature, Komatsu engineered specialized thermal management solutions to address a wide operating range (-50 °C - +65 °C).—
Sabbir Rangwala,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Uncanny valley is a term for a reason: The brain can only take so much false information that’s appears to be real.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
5 May 2025
-
Beach furniture and other recreational equipment (e.g., cabanas, umbrellas, canoes, small boats, bicycles) can reduce nesting success and increase false crawls on nesting beaches when left out overnight.—
Lexie Beach,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrived.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrived. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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