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
Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Feb. 2026
The signs were widely criticized as contrived and Green’s protest was something of a distraction.
—Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Rachel Wetzler, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Someone’s phone is always vibrating, a gimmick that often strikes me as contrived in a movie-movie but feels totally normalized in a reality-movie like The Moment.
—Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contrived
Adjective
Perhaps more meaningfully, the message is the antithesis of a contrived political pitch or a hectoring sermon.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Feb. 2026
The signs were widely criticized as contrived and Green’s protest was something of a distraction.
—Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
This time, specific references were stripped away, leaving only a distillation of the dark rage evoked by metal and punk, equal parts elemental and contrived.
—Rachel Wetzler, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Someone’s phone is always vibrating, a gimmick that often strikes me as contrived in a movie-movie but feels totally normalized in a reality-movie like The Moment.
—Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contrived
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrived
Adjective
-
Rumors about the family's dynamic played out for months until Brooklyn posted a series of posts confirming the strained relationship.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The move follows several recent meetups in areas such as Navy Yard, where large groups of teens have flooded streets and strained police resources.—
Mike Stunson,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fortunately, Sanctions balances its downer tendencies with moments of levity and peculiar arrangements that only Souled American could have concocted.—
Zach Schonfeld,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Now Jasmine is in the middle of the second fight she’s concocted out of nowhere in one episode.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s spy chief, who is accused of having plotted a coup attempt to keep his boss in power.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Russian secret services plotted to interfere and tip the election in Orbán's favor, according to numerous media reports, including The Washington Post.—
Compiled byDemocrat-Gazette stafffrom wire reports,
Arkansas Online,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Host City agreement signed by outgoing Mayor Eric Garcetti deferred such unpleasant details to be negotiated later.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Chan Phung, Head of Acquisitions, and Ben Wilkinson, VP Business Affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of Searchlight with Temple Hill Entertainment and UTA Independent Film Group.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In 1985, a mock trial was held in Jerusalem against Mengele, and Spiegel was called as a witness.—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The mock neck, cap sleeves, and gold hardware cinching the waist give it a polished, elevated look that could easily pass for something much pricier.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Yes, a new model was devised that showed how a modern economy could sustain a large middle-class society that shared in its general prosperity and great progress.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Deep listening is a practice devised by composer Pauline Oliveros.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The case would also require testimony, which meant that at least one of Bateman’s wives needed to realize she was being manipulated and abused.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2026
-
During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim’s underwear and grazed her genitals.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
One of the most unnatural things astronauts have experienced is being on the dark side of the Moon and unable to see Earth.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The words feel heavy and unnatural when O'Neal repeats them back to the doctor, like trying to blow a bubble and spitting out rocks instead.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contrived.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrived. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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