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
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Recent Examples of contrived
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
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2026
The language of manifesting your dreams into reality might sound nonsensical or contrived, but to JOP, his magical thinking became his saving grace.
—Andrea Flores
jan. 8, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contrived
Adjective
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
Verb
In one of the most deal-ridden and far too often contrived places on the globe, Steny was straightforward, smart, wise, direct, honest on the real odds about anything and everything, and blessed with a sense of humor that, if saintly in purpose, was devilishly clever in delivery.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2026
The language of manifesting your dreams into reality might sound nonsensical or contrived, but to JOP, his magical thinking became his saving grace.
—Andrea Flores
jan. 8, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contrived
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrived
Adjective
-
Travel from Canada was notably down compared to previous years due to strained relations between the two countries.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
In the Bronx, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez had a strained relationship, but still won the 2009 World Series together, and now sit on the same TV set regularly as analysts for MLB on FOX.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Since the advent of TV and radio, public figures have concocted deliberate soundbites to stick out and persuade the public.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Paul Simon, who was headed to retirement amid debilitating hearing loss, has concocted a helpful new stage monitor setup that has him back on the road.—
BRIAN MCCOLLUM,
Freep.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The regular season couldn’t have been plotted any better for these two from an anticipation standpoint, set to near the end as the top teams in the MIAA Div.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Michael Sheridan was beaten, stabbed, shot At some point, the brothers plotted to rob the other man, investigators said.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Unlike their peers in other major leagues, NBA players can invest in sports gambling companies and advertise for them, a right negotiated in the 2023 collective bargaining agreement.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
In recent weeks, Baker McKenzie, a white-shoe law firm, axed 700 employees, Salesforce sacked hundreds of workers, and the auditing firm KPMG negotiated lower fees with its own auditor.—
Annie Lowrey,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
During the test, teams will run through the full range of operations that would take place on launch day, including loading the SLS rocket with 700,000 gallons cryogenic liquid propellant that is later drained and conducting a mock countdown.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Kids will have a blast at the Seaport Museum next door, especially when exploring the mock-village section and tall-mast whaling ship.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Each of the three crime stories — performed in English, German and French — was devised in close cooperation with the actors, who played an integral role in developing their own characters, Bauer notes.—
Ed Meza,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Organized in a fashion, but loosely so, an outgrowth, in both spirit and practical measure, of the network of express riders devised by Samuel Adams and elevated by Paul Revere.—
Kostya Kennedy,
Time,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Both reflect on their experience and say they felt manipulated and vulnerable.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Do not let our youth be manipulated by agents of chaos into participating in protests, jeopardizing their education and future.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This tends to bento-box subjects in unnatural ways.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Too-deep application can scar, alter texture, or cause pigment migration, color shifts, and an unnatural look over time.—
Tatiana Dias,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contrived.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrived. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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