contrived

/kənˈtraɪvd/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈtraɪvd/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈtrīvd/ (ame, mw)

contrived — adjective

  • contrivedpositive
  • more contrivedcomparative
  • most contrivedsuperlative

1. Describes something that was planned so carefully that it feels false, awkward,

1.形容詞C1
釋義

Describes something that was planned so carefully that it feels false, awkward, or unlike real life.

例句

The last-minute romance in the film felt contrived and hard to believe.

pattern: feel + contrived

Saira gave a contrived laugh when the manager praised the failed idea.

collocation: contrived laugh

同義詞
  • forced

    the closest everyday synonym; often used for humor, emotion, or dialogue that does not come naturally

  • artificial

    broader and more neutral; can describe things that seem fake without stressing over-planning

  • stilted

    used especially for speech, writing, or movement that feels stiff and unnatural

  • labored

    suggests obvious effort, as if the effect had to be worked at too hard

反義詞
  • natural

    develops in an easy, believable way

  • spontaneous

    happens freely without visible planning

  • genuine

    feels real and sincere rather than staged

文法句型

feel/seem/sound/look + contrived

contrived + noun

too contrived to be believable

用法筆記

Often used when a story, emotion, or event seems pushed into place instead of developing naturally. Common after linking verbs such as feel, seem, and sound when judging plots, smiles, apologies, or coincidences.

常見錯誤

❌We contrived a picnic for Saturday.
✅We planned a picnic for Saturday.
💡contrived usually suggests an artificial effect, not ordinary planning.
❌Her room looked contrived because it was clean.
✅Her room looked carefully arranged.
💡contrived means it seems unnaturally staged, not simply neat.