contrive

verb

con·​trive kən-ˈtrīv 

contrived; contriving

transitive verb

1

a

: devise, plan

contrive ways of handling the situation

The prisoners contrived a way to escape.

b

: to form or create in an artistic or ingenious manner

contrived household utensils from stone

Native Americans contrived weapons out of stone, wood, and bone.

2

: to bring about by stratagem or with difficulty : manage

he contrived to win their support

intransitive verb

: to make schemes

contriver noun

Synonyms

• devise
• concoct
• invent
• construct

Examples of contrive in a Sentence

The prisoners contrived a way to escape.

He contrived a meeting with the president.

Recent Examples on the Web

His perpetual ease — spontaneous and never contrived — has always held a deep fascination for me and for my creativity. —Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025

Sure, much of the drama and plot feels contrived, but that’s true for many reality-show first seasons. —Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025

The weird behaviors aren’t limited to contrived scenarios. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2025

Everything about her character feels contrived, but especially the stammer, which the trailer misleadingly masks. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English controven, contreven, from Anglo-French controver, contrever, from Medieval Latin contropare to compare, from Latin com- + Vulgar Latin *tropare to compose, find — more at troubadour

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for contrive

• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive
• connive
• deprive
• derive
• revive
• survive
• dive
• drive
• five

Kids Definition

contrive

verb

con·​trive kən-ˈtrīv 

contrived; contriving

1

: plan entry 2 sense 1, plot

contrive a way to escape

2

: to form or make in a skillful or clever way : invent

3

: bring about, manage

contriving to make ends meet

contriver noun