1
as in to devise
to create or think of by clever use of the imagination
contrived abstract metal sculptures using old household utensils
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to plot
to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends
the mischievous boys were always contriving and trying to pull the prank that would be the talk of the school
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to negotiate
to plan out usually with subtle skill or care
contrived a way of planning the surprise party without their catching on to it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrive
The rafters are 19th century mine timbers, the atmosphere is old-time ski club (authentic, not contrived), and the walls are covered in local ski lore.
—
Cassidy Randall, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
As humans we are wired for connection, but thanks to our increasingly online world, the lines between what’s real and what’s contrived continue to be blurred.
—Ebony-Renee Baker, refinery29.com, 20 Dec. 2024
The intentional pace helps in walking the thin line between good drama and contrived caricature, and every second of Touch stays well inside the territory of the former.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Dec. 2024
After ending 2024 with successive Premier League defeats, Enzo Maresca’s side contrived to throw away a lead late on as Crystal Palace rallied to claim a draw at Selhurst Park.
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for contrive 
Cassidy Randall, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
As humans we are wired for connection, but thanks to our increasingly online world, the lines between what’s real and what’s contrived continue to be blurred.
—Ebony-Renee Baker, refinery29.com, 20 Dec. 2024
The intentional pace helps in walking the thin line between good drama and contrived caricature, and every second of Touch stays well inside the territory of the former.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Dec. 2024
After ending 2024 with successive Premier League defeats, Enzo Maresca’s side contrived to throw away a lead late on as Crystal Palace rallied to claim a draw at Selhurst Park.
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for contrive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrive
Verb
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View 1 Images Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have devised a biomarker test that can spot small amounts of clumping tau protein in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid, which lead to Alzheimer's disease.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Feb. 2025
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Suspicions rise amidst growing tensions in the city, and Cervantes, driven by an unwavering sense of optimism, devises a daring plan for freedom.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Used to ruthlessly controlling everything and everyone around him whatever the cost, Marcos is also secretly plotting a big decision on his daughter’s behalf.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2025
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Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards is already plotting a courtside seat for Dončić’s first game back in Dallas as a visitor.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Top diplomats from the U.S. and Russia met in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to discuss how to improve relations and negotiate an end to the war, without any Ukrainian officials present at the meeting.—
Austin Denean,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2025
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The crash occurred on Route 85 in the area of Martin Road just before 5 p.m. when a 64-year-old Hebron woman traveling south in a 2011 Nissan Pathfinder crossed the yellow center lines while negotiating a left curve in the road, according to Connecticut State Police.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Linda Gefen, Boca Raton The master of distraction Trump’s proposal that the U.S. take over the Gaza Strip and develop it into a beach paradise was concocted to distract us from his real agenda: demolish the government, replace federal workers with machines and give the savings to his rich friends.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2025
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Executive pastry chef Jess Robertson, Ian’s wife, concocts desserts ranging from $4 oatmeal cream pies to $100 banana splits.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Spags did a masterful job of scheming against Buffalo’s fourth-and-short plays no matter what anyone thinks of that review, but the Eagles’ tush-push is in a category by itself.—
Hank Gola,
New York Daily News,
7 Feb. 2025
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Smith has said politics played no part in his decisions and the evidence his team gathered was sufficient for Trump to have been convicted at trial on charges of scheming to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.—
Stephen Groves,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Her behavior became so outrageous and uncontrollable that her family arranged to send her to a girls’ reformatory.—
Mara Bovsun,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2025
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For customers who are willing to pay up, the company offers to arrange private dinners and hard-to-snag restaurant reservations, as well as access to exclusive parties hosted by the likes of Maxim and Diplo.—
Nicolas Vega,
CNBC,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign, the Blade Booster was invented by German inline skater/entrepreneur Marcel Frerichs.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
10 Feb. 2025
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The Shirley Temple was invented at Chasen’s, for the then-underage actress.—
Carolynn Carreño,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Last week, a former Senior Adviser for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors was arrested on US charges of conspiring to steal government trade secrets to benefit China.—
Bloomberg,
The Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2025
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The indictment alleges that Mesa-Florez conspired to manufacture and distribute drugs including marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine in the U.S. from 2005 to 2019.—
Pilar Arias,
Fox News,
4 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near contrive
Cite this Entry
“Contrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrive. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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