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
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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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
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrived
Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2024
A lot of reality shows are people who just met for the sake of the show, these contrived situations.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 29 Mar. 2024
Back then, however, the orthodox view regarded secrecy as concealment in social interaction, a definition that forced experimenters into contrived scenarios.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 15 Oct. 2024
While such generalizations have historically been used to demonize enemies, there is still a contrived tendency to divide the world into land and sea powers.
—Colin Flint, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contrived 
Adjective
Worse still, if the negation of the axiom of choice were true, there wouldn’t just be a few (very contrived) examples of sets that can’t be measured—the whole theory of measurement would collapse!
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2024
A lot of reality shows are people who just met for the sake of the show, these contrived situations.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 29 Mar. 2024
Back then, however, the orthodox view regarded secrecy as concealment in social interaction, a definition that forced experimenters into contrived scenarios.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 15 Oct. 2024
While such generalizations have historically been used to demonize enemies, there is still a contrived tendency to divide the world into land and sea powers.
—Colin Flint, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contrived
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrived
Adjective
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But inflation, housing shortages and strained services have fueled frustration at migrant and refugee populations in many European countries, and the unrest has manifested itself at the ballot box in Britain, France, Germany, Italy and several others.Rob Picheta, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
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Eminem often highlighted his strained relationship with his mother in his music early in his career.Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 3 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The deal was negotiated by exec VP of legal and business affairs Anant Tamirisa on behalf of AGC and by Nicholas Marell on behalf of Paperclip Ltd.Leo Barraclough, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024
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At the convention, attendees learn about projects in the works, where space is or will be available, industry trends and innovations, and lease deals are negotiated.David Moin, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In August 2022, China launched a mock military blockade of Taiwan after Nancy Pelosi became the first serving U.S. House speaker to visit the island in 25 years.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
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There are the burgers, wings, tacos and nachos along with craft and mock cocktails, wine and of course beers, which are available in 40-ounce steins.Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Inch by inch, clever techniques are being devised to hone in on what a user wants.Lance Eliot, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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Three players devised a plan to misdirect the other players and blindside one of them at Tribal Council.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Handlers in white gloves manipulated the busts like Slinky spring toys.Martin Vassolo, Axios, 9 Dec. 2024
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Despite ongoing concerns, the government has yet to present evidence that TikTok has directly handed over user data to the Chinese government or manipulated content for political purposes.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind.Erin Parker, Allure, 4 Dec. 2024
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An over-fluffed tree can look unnatural and disfigure the branches and branch ends of your tree.Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The durable 1,000-piece jigsaw is made of thick stock and high-quality art paper engineered to withstand lazy days of leisure.Jaclyn Trop, Robb Report, 11 Dec. 2024
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Martinez’s lawsuit alleges that the food companies have long known their products are harmful and deliberately engineered them to be as addictive as possible.Reuters, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Best travel insurance policies Truth or false:There more flight disruptions during the holidays?Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2024
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Not least because they could easily be employed to provide a false impression of impartiality, while actually hiding their own biases in a way that the audience might not even be aware of.Federico Guerrini, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Contrived.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrived. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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