# contrived

/kənˈtɹaɪvd/ (US) · /kəntɹˈaɪvd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/contrived
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

unnatural or forced. You use this to describe a story, situation, or behavior that feels fake because it was planned too carefully.

For teachers: deliberately created rather than arising naturally or spontaneously. Often describes literary plots or social behaviors that appear artificial, strained, or lacking in authenticity.

## Examples

- The movie's happy ending felt very contrived.
- The dialogue in the play sounded contrived, as if the characters were reading from a textbook rather than speaking naturally.
- Critics dismissed the novel's resolution as a contrived sequence of coincidences that served the author's thematic goals at the expense of narrative credibility.

## Usage notes

- Typically follows a linking verb like 'feel', 'seem', or 'sound'; can also be used attributively before a noun.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.