The meaning of CONTRIVED is having an unnatural or false appearance or quality : artificial, labored. How to use contrived in a sentence.

CONTRIVED definition: 1. artificial and difficult to believe: 2. artificial and difficult to believe: 3. too obviously…. Learn more.

CONTRIVED definition: obviously planned or forced; artificial; strained. See examples of contrived used in a sentence.

The adjective contrived describes something that is artificially planned, especially in an obvious way, so it comes across as faked or forced. It's not just drama that can come off as contrived.

If you say that something someone says or does is contrived, you think it is false and deliberate, rather than natural and not planned.

Obviously planned or calculated; not spontaneous or natural; labored: a novel with a contrived ending.

Definition of contrived adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. planned in advance and not natural or what somebody claims it is; written or arranged in a way that is not natural or realistic. …

Nov 21, 2025 · contrived (comparative more contrived, superlative most contrived) Created in a deliberate, rather than natural or spontaneous, way.

contrived, adj. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary

contrived definition: unnatural or forced, lacking spontaneity. Check meanings, examples, usage tips, pronunciation, domains, related words.