contrive

1 to create or think of by clever use of the imagination <contrived abstract metal sculptures using old household utensils> Synonyms concoct, construct, invent, cook (up), devise, drum up, excogitate, fabricate, make up, manufacture, think (up), trump up, vamp (up)Related Words coin, design, hatch, produce; daydream, dream, fantasize; conceive, envisage, envision, imagine, picture, vision, visualize; ad-lib, extemporize, improviseNear Antonyms clone, copy, copycat, duplicate, imitate, mimic, reduplicate, replicate, reproduce

2 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 collude, compass, connive, conspire, plot, intrigue, machinate, put up, schemeRelated Words counterplot; brew, concoct, cook (up), devise, hatch; engineer, jockey, maneuver, manipulate; design, frame, lay out, map, plan, shape

3 to plan out usually with subtle skill or care <contrived a way of helping the needy family without their knowing it> Synonyms engineer, finagle, finesse, frame, machinate, maneuver, manipulate, mastermind, negotiate, wangleRelated Words arrange, concert, conclude, hammer out, work out; angle (for), compass, intrigue, plot, scheme; connive; brew, concoct, cook (up), hatch; captain, command, conduct, direct, handle, manage, quarterback, run; gerrymanderNear Antonyms blow, bobble, botch, bungle, butcher, flub, fumble, gum (up), louse up, mangle, mess (up), mishandle, muff