contrived adj.
VERBS be, seem, sound
ADV. highly, very highly contrived laboratory conditions | a little, rather, somewhat | carefully the carefully contrived image of party unity | cleverly, cunningly | artificially, deliberately
adj.
a novel with a contrived ending
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
v.
They contrived to murder their boss
design a new sales strategy
plan an attack
excogitate a way to measure the speed of light
She threw the flashlight beam into the corner
The setting sun threw long shadows
cast a spell
cast a warm light