Contrived Definition & Meaning

contrived
adjective
  1. showing effects of planning or manipulation; "a novel with a contrived ending"
  2. artificially formal; "that artificial humility that her husband hated"; "contrived coyness"; "a stilted letter of acknowledgment"; "when people try to correct their speech they develop a stilted pronunciation"

"Contrived" in song lyrics

See how contrived is used in real songs:

  • "Computerized, televised, contrived"
    Aceyalone — I Can't Complain
  • "of what it's like to be alive, not real you are contrived"
    Blood of Abraham f/ Will.I.Am — 99¢ Lighter
  • "abstractly contrived"
    AOL — AOL

Usage tips for "contrived"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "contrived" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for contrived to find words that pair well.

Use "contrived" in a verse

Now that you know what "contrived" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

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