as in to devise
to create or think of by clever use of the imagination
they invented an explanation for the broken vase that would satisfy their grandmother
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Recent Examples of invent
Christianity, Catherine Nixey insists, largely invented religious intolerance and the persecution of dissenters.
—
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
These people — family and strangers alike — have invented a scenario in their minds that doesn’t have a thing to do with your reality.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 24 Mar. 2025
So far, President Donald Trump has invented a bunch of bogus ones and Congress almost opened the door to a real one when Democrats contemplated allowing a government shutdown last week.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
The automatic flour mill was invented in the late 1700s.
—Ken Fleming, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for invent
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
These people — family and strangers alike — have invented a scenario in their minds that doesn’t have a thing to do with your reality.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 24 Mar. 2025
So far, President Donald Trump has invented a bunch of bogus ones and Congress almost opened the door to a real one when Democrats contemplated allowing a government shutdown last week.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
The automatic flour mill was invented in the late 1700s.
—Ken Fleming, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for invent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invent
Verb
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Despite the entrenched ethical norms of the legal profession, educational institutions at every level should devise strategies designed to improve the public’s understanding of government and its critical intersection with the rule of law.—
Blake D. Morant,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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Vince McMahon has devised various gimmicks and names for wrestlers while running WWE over the last several decades.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Some are concocting nostalgic scrapbooks and others are knitting cozy blankets or adorable sweaters.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Mar. 2025
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At that point, the writers gathered to familiarize themselves (for the first time) with the original show and began concocting various excuses for having big-name stars floating in and out of the Bradys’ new life in Malibu.—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The near-deal was constructed over the course of months, with Vice President JD Vance’s team negotiating directly with several potential investors and officials from ByteDance.—
Sarah Parvini,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2025
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François Chollet has constructed the ultimate test for the bots.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Invent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invent. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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