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
Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2024
That finding, the researchers said, came from a contrived scenario unlikely to occur in real life.
—Billy Perrigo, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
Wilson’s film, while suitably bright and busy, is a more conventional kids’ entertainment, with a contrived quest narrative that lands the franchise further than ever from the modest, homey spirit of Michael Bond’s original books.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
Per comments on the dedicated sub-Reddit for his massive podcast Kill Tony, even Hinchcliffe’s fans are divided on whether his stand-up is too derivative or reliant on contrived provocation.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contrived 
Adjective
Her role intends to put a human face on the awful burden fame imposes on those who are sidelined from the ones in the addictive spotlight, but it’s presented in a contrived manner, even though Fanning gives it her all.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2024
That finding, the researchers said, came from a contrived scenario unlikely to occur in real life.
—Billy Perrigo, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
Wilson’s film, while suitably bright and busy, is a more conventional kids’ entertainment, with a contrived quest narrative that lands the franchise further than ever from the modest, homey spirit of Michael Bond’s original books.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
Per comments on the dedicated sub-Reddit for his massive podcast Kill Tony, even Hinchcliffe’s fans are divided on whether his stand-up is too derivative or reliant on contrived provocation.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contrived
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrived
Adjective
-
The team announced Wednesday that Randle has a strained adductor and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2025
-
Randle also is out for the next few weeks because of a strained groin.—
Jon Krawczynski,
The Athletic,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Desperate for more space, the city negotiated an initial $40 million deal with the Row, still in financial straits from the pandemic.—
Luis Ferré-Sadurní,
New York Times,
23 Dec. 2024
-
However, as lawmakers negotiated that year’s finance legislation, some believed the government needed stronger transparency legislation.—
Nana Ama Sarfo,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The response was made all the more pronounced by Lively’s mock shock look at her husband.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Thomas leapt out of his judges’ chair and mock knelt in front of Carter.—
Marcus Thompson II,
The Athletic,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
That should become a standard part of the chain-of-thoughts being devised by AI.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
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Similarly, Ping’s team devised a system that pauses the pH-modulating current just long enough for a graphene transistor to record accurate readings without interference.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The book, which was written in 1948, focuses on the consequences of totalitarianism, the government’s mass surveillance of the public and how truth and fact can be manipulated.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
3 Jan. 2025
-
The actor who plays Sofia Falcone in the HBO series never went method (unlike some Batman villains), but the part required tapping into a character who has been gaslit, manipulated, and isolated from society in every way.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
16 Feb. 2025
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And yet all of the actors must plow through dialogue that is bracingly unnatural.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Even the bed—a plush, temperature-regulating masterpiece—felt like it had been engineered specifically to cradle you into the best rest of your life.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
30 Dec. 2024
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While there is entertainment from a live DJ, the Guest House is acoustically engineered for conversation, with music layered into the ambiance.—
Melinda Sheckells,
The Hollywood Reporter,
29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In the Burrow case, the suspects allegedly carried bogus ID cards purportedly from Argentina and other countries, and bearing false names, according to the affidavit.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2025
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There’s a lot of false symbolism and false activism, and there’s a lot of people who really capitalize on this half-baked symbolism without deliverables.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Contrived.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrived. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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