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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2025
Some update accounts have started to post photoshopped emails that fabricate invitations to an anniversary collaboration with Spotify and Apple Music in a contrived effort to drive up streams on her latest album, Something Beautiful.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2025
Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Sure, much of the drama and plot feels contrived, but that’s true for many reality-show first seasons.
—Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrived
Adjective
Aside from Murphy and Davidson, Palmer does exactly what is expected from her, and Longoria also survives with dignity intact after being handed a contrived role that no actor could make credible; give her an ‘A ‘ for effort.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2025
Some update accounts have started to post photoshopped emails that fabricate invitations to an anniversary collaboration with Spotify and Apple Music in a contrived effort to drive up streams on her latest album, Something Beautiful.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2025
Verb
His perpetual ease — spontaneous and never contrived — has always held a deep fascination for me and for my creativity.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Sure, much of the drama and plot feels contrived, but that’s true for many reality-show first seasons.
—Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrived
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrived
Adjective
-
Though the former couple remained close in the years after their separation, their relationship allegedly became strained when Simon stopped paying for their children’s school and medical fees following a change on his tax return.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
-
In contrast to Bella’s strained relationship with Coverley, her bond with her father was effortless.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
To solve this problem, materials scientists at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have concocted a new sunscreen recipe that spares the ocean’s vital microorganisms.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
4 Sep. 2025
-
On paper, Dallas has the tools to do just that, but NBA insider Zach Buckley, of Bleacher Report, has concocted a trade proposal that sees the Mavericks strengthen their forward position.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
To avoid this scenario, Makadia's team plotted the best spots on an asteroid's surface to avoid the keyhole.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
For one, Leonard signed a max contract—unlike with Smith and the Timberwolves, there’s no claim Leonard and the Clippers plotted a scheme where he’d be paid less in the short term in exchange for being paid more later.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Also in the package, which was negotiated behind closed doors during the final days of the 9-month legislative session, were deals to replenish the state wildfire fund and create a regional electric grid for western states to trade excess energy.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Bay Area state senators Scott Wiener and Jesse Arreguin had negotiated a $750 million loan for transit into this year’s budget, meant to avoid service cuts until voters authorize a potential regional sales tax measure in November 2026 that could provide longterm replacement for farebox revenue.—
Kate Talerico,
Mercury News,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Whose idea was this, and what kinds of settler-colonial relations does this mock holdup invert?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Sweater My grandmother also purchased this 100 percent cashmere mock-neck sweater to have on hand in case the weather requires an extra layer.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Subsequent reports revealed that Bolsonaro and his allies had devised a baroque plot to regain power, which included jailing and possibly murdering their political opponents.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The sum seems devised by the author to test Isabella and find her out.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Trump claimed without evidence that McEntarfer had manipulated statistics for political reasons.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
-
By the end of the episode, Isaac is dead, Nibs has had part of her memory wiped, and Slightly has been manipulated by Morrow into letting one of the face-huggers turn Arthur into a Xenomorph incubator.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In its world premiere, SECOND NATURE challenges the notion that queerness is unnatural, by turning to nature itself — and the science that dismantles the myth of the gender binary.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Stories abound in folklore of the unnatural taking the place of the natural.—
Adam Verner
September 3,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrived.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrived. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share