Artificially created or arranged; lacking naturalness and seeming forced or planned in an obvious way. Often describes plots, excuses, or situations that feel fake.
From Old French 'controver' meaning 'to find out, invent,' ultimately from Latin 'con-' (together) and 'tropus' (turn). Originally meant cleverly devised, but developed negative connotations of being overly artificial.
Think of a 'con-TRIV-ed' excuse as a 'con trick' that's trying too hard - so obviously planned that it feels fake! When something is contrived, the planning shows through like bad acting.
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