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
  • That could present a challenge for Americans, who already report feeling financially strained amid elevated inflation.
    — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Vogel and Panettiere had a strained relationship before the actress’ death.
    — Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 19 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
  • Lujan believes Denver could have negotiated a much better deal.
    — Brian Maass, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Raman hit Bass early on in the debate, saying the mayor negotiated an expensive package of police raises that the city couldn’t afford.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 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
  • This study proves that ion storage order can be precisely manipulated through molecular-level engineering.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Now imagine that same agent, compromised or manipulated, querying every past-due invoice armed with full client details.
    — Morey Haber, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of manipulated
Adjective
  • The Jackson County District Attorney's office has previously said convening a grand jury does not mean there is any criminality and is standard procedure for most unnatural or suspicious deaths in the county.
    — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Decoteau was there, sipping his beautifully unnatural lemonade.
    — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 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 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of contrived for Spanish Speakers

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