contrived
adjective
con·trived
kən-ˈtrīvd 
: having an unnatural or false appearance or quality : artificial, labored
a contrived plot
Synonyms
Examples of contrived in a Sentence
… it may remind readers of Christopher Nolan's ingeniously contrived mystery film "Memento" …
—
Joyce Carol Oates, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2005
The music industry has become far more image conscious and contrived since her first album affected me so profoundly …
—Lisa Marie Presley, Time, 18 Apr. 2005
There are some who scorn that sterling art form, the afternoon soap opera, alleging that its characters are unbelievable, its plots contrived and its action negligible.
—Lydel Sims, Assignment: Memphis, 1982
The movie's contrived ending was a big disappointment.
The results of the test seemed somewhat contrived.
Joyce Carol Oates, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2005
The music industry has become far more image conscious and contrived since her first album affected me so profoundly …
—Lisa Marie Presley, Time, 18 Apr. 2005
There are some who scorn that sterling art form, the afternoon soap opera, alleging that its characters are unbelievable, its plots contrived and its action negligible.
—Lydel Sims, Assignment: Memphis, 1982
The movie's contrived ending was a big disappointment.
The results of the test seemed somewhat contrived.
Recent Examples on the Web
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 
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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
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Cite this Entry
“Contrived.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contrived. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
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