contrived

[kuhn-trahyvd]

adjective

1. obviously planned or forced; artificial; strained.

   a contrived story.

contrived

/ kənˈtraɪvd /

adjective

1. obviously planned, artificial, or lacking in spontaneity; forced; unnatural

Other Word Forms

• contrivedly adverb
• uncontrived adjective
• well-contrived adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of contrived¹

First recorded in 1505–15; contrive + -ed ²

Example Sentences

John Adams, the nation’s first vice president, declared the position to be “the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived, or his imagination conceived.”

From Salon

Despite this catalog of current and easily predictable future horrors, America keeps up a façade of normality: the manic cheerfulness of TV newscasters, the moronic sitcoms, the contrived crime dramas.

From Salon

This was a huge deal for a contrived unscripted series that simulates the search for love and romance; rarely do contestants find the real thing.

From Salon

The Guardian is relatively kinder, summing up Season 2 as “so painfully contrived that it’s genuinely fascinating.”

From Salon

With the Proteas recommencing their first innings on the fifth day Cronje - prompted by a bookie named Marlon Aronstam - contrived an unprecedented innings forfeiture for both sides to ensure a result.

From BBC

Related Words

• false 
• phony