Contrived

1. verb

   come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

   “excogitate a way to measure the speed of light”

   Similar: invent, contrive, devise, excogitate, formulate, forge

2. adjective

   showing effects of planning or manipulation

   “a novel with a contrived ending”

3. verb

   make or work out a plan for; devise

   “They contrived to murder their boss”

   Similar: plan, project, contrive, design

4. adjective

   artificially formal

   “that artificial humility that her husband hated”

   Similar: artificial, hokey, stilted