contrived

adjective

con·​trived kən-ˈtrīvd 

: having an unnatural or false appearance or quality : artificial, labored

a contrived plot

Synonyms

• affected
• artificial
• assumed
• bogus
• factitious
• fake
• false
• feigned
• forced
• mechanical
• mock
• phony
• phoney
• plastic
• pretended
• pseudo
• put-on
• sham
• simulated
• spurious
• strained
• unnatural

Examples of contrived in a Sentence

… it may remind readers of Christopher Nolan's ingeniously contrived mystery film "Memento" … —Joyce Carol Oates, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2005

The music industry has become far more image conscious and contrived since her first album affected me so profoundly … —Lisa Marie Presley, Time, 18 Apr. 2005

There are some who scorn that sterling art form, the afternoon soap opera, alleging that its characters are unbelievable, its plots contrived and its action negligible. —Lydel Sims, Assignment: Memphis, 1982

The movie's contrived ending was a big disappointment.

The results of the test seemed somewhat contrived.

Recent Examples on the Web

Now, on to the high-stakes and highly contrived plot. —Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2024

The film has maybe one too many contrived incidents, like a solar eclipse or a zoo liberation or Butcher Hu’s elaborate vengeance plans, that feel cooked up mainly for the opportunity for a cool visual. —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 21 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

see contrive

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above