Contrived meaning

kən-trīvd'
The definition of contrived is something that seems made-up or forced, or that doesn't ring true.

When a plot of a movie or book is far-fetched and doesn't ring true, this is an example of a plot that would be described as contrived.

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Obviously planned or calculated; not spontaneous or natural; labored.

A novel with a contrived ending.

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Too obviously the result of forethought and planning; forced; artificial.
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Simple past tense and past participle of contrive.
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Contrived Sentence Examples

  • "I should hope to smile," he said with a contrived southern accent.

  • Not the abbreviated version contrived for a witless or hysterical wife, but the whole thing – including any designs Lori has on you... or you have for her.

  • During the Civil War James was taken prisoner by Fairfax (1646), but contrived to escape to Holland in 1648.

  • Not only did his reason not reproach him for what he had done, but he even found cause for self-satisfaction in having so successfully contrived to avail himself of a convenient opportunity to punish a criminal and at the same time pacify the mob.

  • Though Kutuzov had dismissed all unnecessary men from the staff, Boris had contrived to remain at headquarters after the changes.

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Words near contrived in the Dictionary