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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrived
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
Advertisement Scheming currently appears to be mostly limited to contrived test scenarios.
—Tharin Pillay, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
Timeka Tounsel, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
None more so than how Conor Coady and Arthur Okonkwo contrived to gift Burrell the third goal from what was effectively an aimless long punt forward.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrived
Adjective
Even if parts of the individual storylines still come across as contrived or at least dramatically convenient, the ending reminds and underlines that these things, and things far worse, happened in Israel on October 7, 2023.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
Advertisement Scheming currently appears to be mostly limited to contrived test scenarios.
—Tharin Pillay, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
Many legends who were part of the WNBA’s early years—the league debuted in 1997—have shared stories about how the fledgling brand stuffed star players into narrow feminine molds that sometimes felt contrived.
—Timeka Tounsel, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
None more so than how Conor Coady and Arthur Okonkwo contrived to gift Burrell the third goal from what was effectively an aimless long punt forward.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrived
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrived
Adjective
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After missing the Heat’s first five preseason games with a strained hamstring, Rozier played in his first exhibition of the year on Friday.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
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If staffing levels remain strained, a single storm or tech glitch could cause nationwide ripple effects that ruin travel plans for millions.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the new Indonesian horror flick The Elixir, a new herbal potion concocted by a traditional medicine doctor accidentally wakes the dead, and now all Hell is breaking loose.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
17 Oct. 2025
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Unlike a harmless delusion, this is something that is concocted with an arc in mind, like Stacey’s relationship with TJ, Kenya Moore’s relationship with Walter Jackson her first season on RHOA, and Drew Sidora’s maybe-relationship with Dennis McKinley on this most recent season.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Denver has plotted Greenlaw’s recovery for the long haul, and Strnad’s contributions have given the franchise the breathing room to do so.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
14 Oct. 2025
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While Witherspoon dug into the world of trauma surgery, Coben plotted the novel’s key moments.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As a result of the new agreement, Little Rock officers and sergeants will get another 5% pay increase in 2027 on top of the 5% increases previously negotiated for 2025 and 2026.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Oct. 2025
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The deal for worldwide sales rights was negotiated by Nat McCormick of Stoic and Alexandros Potter, Principal of Simeon Faith.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Continue reading … KEEPS ON GIVING – Joe Rogan and Andrew Schulz mock Harris' claim of people calling her most qualified presidential candidate.—
,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
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Well, this mock neck zipped jacket is a far more flattering, wearable option that’s currently sporting a $20 price tag and a full range of sizes.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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More than 50 years passed before Kansas City artist and sculptor Dale Eldred in 1990 devised a workable design.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
21 Oct. 2025
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Ultimately, the researchers believe the hottest engine ever devised will help the scientific community better understand thermodynamics.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Politico spoke to Ingrassia’s lawyer, who said the text messages might have been manipulated or were missing context.—
Fortune Editors,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
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In many cases, the photos are so heavily filtered and manipulated, that there is no way to look like this in real life.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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These techniques can sometimes feel unnatural.—
Christine Buzan,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
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Drafting in English and translating often produces stilted, unnatural messages.—
Adam Mills,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrived.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrived. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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