contrive

verb

con·​trive kən-ˈtrīv 

contrived; contriving; contrives

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 a device to smoke out moles …

—Jeff Heinz

2

: to bring about by stratagem or with difficulty : manage

He contrived to win their support.

intransitive verb

: to make schemes

contriver noun

Synonyms of contrive

• 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

Both those courts upheld the 2022 statewide congressional map that DeSantis contrived to purge a Black congressman, Al Lawson of Tallahassee. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026

The work lies in making that interface feel truthful rather than contrived. — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

Credibility gets strained pretty quickly as the playwrights contrive to get the characters to face each other in person. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026

Even his courtship with Bess Wallace was accented by Truman contriving a tennis court for her — the dynamics of which are captured through photos of and letters about his efforts. — Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026

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
• khedive
• revive
• survive
• dive
• drive

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