2 syllables: con, trived. Stress on trived.
kuhn-TREYEVD
/kənˈtɹaɪvd/
contrived is pronounced kuhn-TREYEVD (/kənˈtɹaɪvd/). It has two syllables (con-trived), with the stress on "trived". Contrived refers to something artificial or deliberately created rather than arising naturally, often implying it is too polished or staged. It describes actions, plots, or explanations that feel forced or crafted rather than spontaneous, sometimes suggesting a lack of authenticity. The term can apply to ideas, performances, or situations that seem engineered rather than genuine.
Contrived refers to something artificial or deliberately created rather than arising naturally, often implying it is too polished or staged. It describes actions, plots, or explanations that feel forced or crafted rather than spontaneous, sometimes suggesting a lack of authenticity. The term can apply to ideas, performances, or situations that seem engineered rather than genuine.
"The ending of the film felt contrived, as if the writer forced a neat resolution."
"Her apology sounded contrived, like she was reciting a script rather than speaking from the heart."
"The explanation for the data appeared contrived and failed to address the real issues behind the trend."
Pronounce it as kən-TRYVD with stress on the second syllable. The first syllable uses a schwa /ə/, then the vowel in the second syllable is the /aɪ/ diphthong, followed by a voiced /v/ and /d/. IPA: US/UK/AU: /kənˈtraɪvd/. For clarity, imagine saying ‘con-’ quickly and clearly, then emphasize the long I as in sigh, ending with -vd. You’ll want to keep the /r/ light and non-rhotic in UK accents, but rhotics in US and AU may colorize the /r/ depending on speaker; focus on the /ˈtraɪ/ nucleus for accuracy.
Common errors include: misplacing the stress (say con-TRIV-ed or con-TRIIVED); mispronouncing the /ˈtraɪ/ as /əˈtraɪv/ or misarticulating the final /vd/ as /v/ or /d/ separately. Another mistake is flattening the diphthong to a pure /a:/ or /ɪ/; keep the /aɪ/ smooth. Correct by practicing the two-syllable beat: con-TRIVED, with the /t/ release just before the /r/ and a voiced final /d/.
In US English, /kənˈtraɪvd/ includes a pronounced rhotic /r/ in the second syllable. In UK English, /kənˈtraɪvd/ keeps a non-rhotic /r/ (often silent or only lightly colored) and may sound a touch more clipped. Australian English tends toward /ˈkɒnˌtraɪvd/ or /kənˈtraɪvd/ with a backer /ɒ/ or /ɐ/ depending on speaker, and the /r/ is non-rhotic. Across all, the nucleus /ˈtraɪ/ remains stable; the key variance is rhoticity and vowel quality in the first syllable’s schwa. IPA references help confirm nuances.
The difficulty lies in the two-part nucleus /traɪ/ that blends a hard consonant cluster with a high, elongated diphthong, plus a brief but audible /v/ and final /d/ cluster. Speakers often misplace the stress or slightly blur the /t/ before the /r/, especially when speaking quickly. Proper articulation requires a clean /t/ release, a firm /r/ shaping the following vowel, and a precise /v/ before the final /d/. Using slow, deliberate articulation during practice helps embed the rhythm.
Yes. The contrast between the light, quick onset of con- and the electric, high front vowel in -trived creates a perceptual emphasis on the second syllable. The -ved ending can feel like a quick, almost optional extra touch; ensure the /v/ blends into the final /d/ (not a stop between). Emphasize the /aɪ/ nucleus and keep the /d/ voiced without a harsh release to preserve a natural cadence in fluent speech.
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Contrived comes from the Latin contrivēre, meaning to twist or weave together, from con- (together) and tribere (to bestow or bestow upon, related to tribuere). The word entered English in the 17th century with senses tied to something that is devised or schemed. Originally linked more broadly to the idea of planful invention, it carried a neutral sense of invention at first. Over time, the connotation shifted toward the negative—suggesting something manufactured, not naturally occurring, often with a sense of bookkeeping or algorithmic design rather than serendipitous creation. The modern nuance—implied manipulation, lack of authenticity, or overly polished production—emerged as literary and critical usage evolved in the 18th and 19th centuries when discussions about realism, storytelling, and naturalness became prominent. First known uses appear in academic and literary prose, where authors described plots, plans, or explanations that seemed cleverly but unconvincingly constructed. The evolution reflects changing attitudes toward sincerity in art and discourse, with “contrived” frequently serving as a critique of perceived artificiality rather than technical ingenuity.
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Words that rhyme with "contrived"
-ved sounds
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