contrived

American  

[kuhn-trahyvd] / kənˈtraɪvd /

adjective

1. obviously planned or forced; artificial; strained.

   a contrived story.

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contrived British  

/ kənˈtraɪvd /

adjective

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

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Other Word Forms

• contrivedly adverb
• uncontrived adjective
• well-contrived adjective

Etymology

Origin of contrived

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

Example Sentences

However, with 25 minutes to go and the match seemingly there for the taking, England contrived to hand the initiative back to Italy.

From BBC

Cooling their heels in a Venetian jail in 1755, Giacomo Casanova and the prisoner in the cell above him contrived one of the more imaginative escapes in the annals of criminology.

From The Wall Street Journal

Guardiola must still be furious and frustrated at how City were so much in command at half-time with a two-goal advantage, yet somehow contrived to cast aside two points and almost lose all three.

From BBC

But Ali Larijani, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said on Saturday: "Contrary to the hype of the contrived media war, structural arrangements for negotiations are progressing."

From Barron's

The language of manifesting your dreams into reality might sound nonsensical or contrived, but to JOP, his magical thinking became his saving grace.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• false
• phony