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contrived

adjective

/ənˈtraɪvd/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of contrived

Deliberately created or arranged in an artificial or forced manner.
"The dialogue in the movie felt contrived and unnatural."

Detailed meaning of contrived

It describes a situation, event, or object that appears forced, unnatural, or lacking in authenticity. When something is considered contrived, it often gives the impression of being carefully planned or devised, but with an overtone of artificiality. It can refer to a contrived plot in literature or film, where the events or circumstances feel overly manipulated or lacking in believability. Similarly, a contrived smile or gesture may be perceived as insincere or forced. This adjective suggests a sense of artificial construction or manipulation, giving rise to a feeling of artificiality or a lack of spontaneity.

Example sentences containing contrived

1. The contrived plot twist in the novel was met with mixed reviews from readers.
2. Her contrived laughter didn't fool anyone; it was obvious she was faking it.
3. The politician's contrived speech failed to resonate with the audience.
4. The staged photoshoot resulted in contrived and posed images.
5. The contrived surprise party lacked the genuine emotions and reactions.
6. The artist's attempt at creating a contrived masterpiece fell flat.

History and etymology of contrived

The adjective 'contrived' has its etymological roots in the Latin word 'contrivare,' which is a combination of 'con-' meaning 'together' and 'trivium' meaning 'crossroads' or 'public place.' In ancient Rome, a 'trivium' was a meeting place where people gathered, often leading to discussions and plans. The term 'contrivare' evolved to mean the act of planning or devising something, often in a calculated or deliberate manner. Over time, 'contrived' came to describe things that are deliberately created or arranged, particularly in an artificial or forced manner, as if they were planned at a crossroads. It implies a sense of artificiality or artifice, suggesting that the outcome may not be entirely natural or spontaneous but rather carefully orchestrated. The term 'contrived' maintains its etymological connection to the concept of deliberate planning or devising, emphasizing the intentional and sometimes forced nature of the result.

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Further usage examples of contrived

1. The contrived setup of the experiment skewed the results.
2. The contrived romance in the play seemed forced and unrealistic.
3. The contrived compliments from her co-workers made her doubt their sincerity.
4. The contrived apology came across as insincere and disingenuous.
5. The contrived attempts to recreate the magic of the original film were disappointing.
6. The contrived plot of the movie felt unnatural and predictable.
7. Her smile seemed contrived, hiding her true emotions.
8. The party's decorations appeared contrived and overdone.
9. His excuse for being late seemed contrived and unconvincing.
10. The dialogue in the play felt contrived and lacking authenticity.
11. The meeting had a contrived agenda with hidden motives.
12. Their reconciliation felt contrived, lacking genuine emotion.
13. The contrived laughter at his jokes revealed the awkwardness.
14. The marketing campaign's enthusiasm seemed contrived.
15. The surprise party felt contrived, as she had guessed it.
16. His attempts at being friendly were contrived and insincere.
17. The apology sounded contrived and rehearsed.
18. The contrived romantic gesture fell flat and awkward.
19. The contrived drama in the reality show was tiresome.
20. Her contrived enthusiasm for the project was evident.
21. The contrived excitement in the room was palpable.
22. The contrived setup of the experiment led to skewed results.
23. Their contrived reconciliation was short-lived.
24. The contrived charm offensive didn't fool anyone.
25. The contrived mystery in the novel was poorly executed.