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
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Recent Examples of contrived
Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Feb. 2026
The signs were widely criticized as contrived and Green’s protest was something of a distraction.
—Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Rachel Wetzler, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Someone’s phone is always vibrating, a gimmick that often strikes me as contrived in a movie-movie but feels totally normalized in a reality-movie like The Moment.
—Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contrived
Adjective
Perhaps more meaningfully, the message is the antithesis of a contrived political pitch or a hectoring sermon.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Feb. 2026
The signs were widely criticized as contrived and Green’s protest was something of a distraction.
—Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
This time, specific references were stripped away, leaving only a distillation of the dark rage evoked by metal and punk, equal parts elemental and contrived.
—Rachel Wetzler, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Someone’s phone is always vibrating, a gimmick that often strikes me as contrived in a movie-movie but feels totally normalized in a reality-movie like The Moment.
—Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contrived
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrived
Adjective
-
At the same time, reductions in federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are expected to increase food insecurity among older adults, placing even more pressure on already strained systems.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
The Thunder are 8-0 in the postseason despite their second-best player Jalen Williams missing the entirety of the playoffs with a strained hamstring.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Cocktails are concocted by in-house mixologist, Waguinho, who also invites guests from the local mixology community to arrange tastings.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
-
For decades, astronomers have concocted intricate computer models to predict how stars live and die.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Prosecutors alleged that, with the help of her father, Francisco Gonzalez, and her ex-boyfriend, Kai Faron Cordrey, the TikTok star plotted to kill Avery between 2020 and 2021.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
20 May 2026
-
In Albany, Jeffries was part of a group of young Black and Latino lawmakers from New York City who played pickup basketball together and plotted legislative strategy over beers at a Bonefish Grill.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The deal was negotiated by Jessica Russo COO, Productions & Acquisitions at VMI / Vantage Media and Danielle Gasher, CEO of Vaneast Pictures.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
20 May 2026
-
The two universities negotiated a $60 million price tag.—
Jack Springgate,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
Strangers are matched by experts and move in together after mock wedding ceremonies.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
-
The first mock drafts tend to go up just after the previous year’s real draft ends.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The initial voting rules for the National Baseball Hall of Fame were devised in 1936 by its’ board of directors, led by National League President Ford Frick.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
-
Wealthy people have also devised tax avoidance strategies.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Prosecutors allege Saab and his associates manipulated the program through overpriced contracts and international financial transactions designed to conceal illicit proceeds.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
-
Musk’s core claim was that the co-founders had manipulated him into donating millions of dollars and eventually turned OpenAI into a for-profit.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Over the course of Obsession's 108-minute runtime, Nikki transforms into an self-destructive, possessive, and dangerously violent shadow of her former self as Bear's spell forces her to fixate solely on her unnatural devotion to him—no matter the cost.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
15 May 2026
-
As real trees begin to bloom outside, photographer Widline Cadet picks through two playfully oversized bouquets of positively unnatural plastic flowers.—
Elly Fishman,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contrived.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrived. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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