contrived 1 of 2

adjective

kən-ˈtrīvd How to pronounce contrived (audio)
Definition of contrivednext
as in strained
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality the contrived applause of a TV studio audience that has been told when to clap

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

contrived

2 of 2

verb

past tense of contrive
1
as in concocted
to create or think of by clever use of the imagination contrived abstract metal sculptures using old household utensils

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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

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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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contrived
Adjective
Whereas Heineman’s film used its incredible access to the central couple to capture moments that come across as beautifully and uncomfortably intimate and unstaged, Bergh (The Greatest Love Story Never Told) uses his access to make everything pretty and entirely too contrived. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2026 Yet the hilarious quip is no contrived Hollywood punchline. — Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 7 June 2026
Verb
The ice bucket set-up for their initial confrontation felt contrived and Vida and Dodie’s dramatic actions involving their hotel room door felt out of character. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026 Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Prosecutors with the First Judicial District Attorney's Office claim Heskett contrived a story that he had been attacked by a man near a trail in the state park. — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contrived
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrived
  1. strained
  2. concocted
  3. plotted
  4. negotiated
  5. mock
  6. devised
  7. manipulated
  8. unnatural
Adjective
  • As her condition advances, the story folds in her strained bonds with her daughter, played by Wen Qi, and her father, played by Fifth Generation filmmaker Tian Zhuangzhuang.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, strained yogurt remained mainly a homemade food in immigrant households until 1998, when FAGE began selling strained yogurt imported from Greece.
    — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of strained
Verb
  • The removal of Maelor, however, snowballed into this moment where that character’s absence didn’t allow for that horrific book moment to be realized, so another set of reasons was concocted.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The cocktail menu leans into the couple’s heritage with some Argentine staples, including the El Clásico of Fernet and Coke and El Diego, concocted with sweet vermouth, Coke and a splash of whiskey.
    — Rick West, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of concocted
Verb
  • Setting the form equal to a number fixes it into an equation that can be plotted on an x-y graph—something many of us learned to do on graphing calculators in high school.
    — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Aurelius uses similar techniques across the record, which lends to a certain sameyness by the end, though the tracks’ varied tempos, each one plotted at a different point on the downtempo spectrum, help offset any stagnation.
    — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of plotted
Verb
  • This will happen on six occasions from October through to December, but only if the tie against Tromso is safely negotiated to set up three home matches and three away in the league phase.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Greenwich plans to release the film in theaters early next year after the company’s Andy Bohn negotiated the deal with CAA Media Finance on behalf of the filmmakers.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of negotiated
Adjective
  • Featuring a slimming silhouette, this mock-neck sweater is polished enough for the office but can pull double duty as casual wear on the weekends.
    — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Participants will tour city buildings, engage in mock activities and meet directly with department leaders from City Hall, Finance, Police, Fire and Public Works, the release said.
    — Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of mock
Verb
  • But state and local planners devised a way to answer commuter’s growing concerns by converting Independence into a freeway.
    — DJ Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Once citizenship at birth begins turning on categories devised by executive officials, the certainty the 14th Amendment was intended to establish starts to disappear.
    — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of devised
Verb
  • The sheriff's office also sought to rebut theories that had circulated publicly about the case, including claims that evidence was missing or the crime scene had been manipulated.
    — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Prosecutors argue that Clancy manipulated her providers and sought quick fixes for her depression and anxiety.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of manipulated
Adjective
  • When channels are created with unsuitable blades, angles, or placement, transplanted hair may grow in an unnatural direction or produce an overly uniform appearance.
    — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
  • But the internet is fake, and people communicate to one another there in a way that is wholly unnatural.
    — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of unnatural

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Cite this Entry

“Contrived.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrived. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of contrived for Spanish Speakers

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