concoct

1 of 2

verb

con·​coct kən-ˈkäkt 

kän-

concocted; concocting; concocts

transitive verb

1

: to prepare by combining raw materials

concoct a recipe

concocted a tropical fruit smoothie

2

: devise, fabricate

concoct an explanation

concocted a strategy to take control of the company

concocter noun

concoctive

kən-ˈkäk-tiv 

kän-

adjective

concocter

2 of 2

noun

con·​coct·​er

variants or less commonly concoctor

kən-ˈkäk-tər, 

(ˈ)kän-¦käk-

plural -s

: one that concocts : maker, fabricator

also : one that aids in concoction

Synonyms of concoct

Verb

• devise
• invent
• construct

Examples of concoct in a Sentence

Verb

The drink was first concocted by a bartender in New York.

She concocted a stew from the leftovers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In it, Bugliosi lays out the prosecutorial theory — one concocted to put away a man for murder who didn’t actually commit the crimes — that Manson was trying to jump-start a race war, called Helter Skelter. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2026

The removal of Maelor, however, snowballed into this moment where that character’s absence didn’t allow for that horrific book moment to be realized, so another set of reasons was concocted. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Like, for instance, Loughlin, who paid Singer $500,000 to concoct fake row team credentials — and even stage phony rowing photos — to get her two daughters into USC. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026

The cocktail menu leans into the couple’s heritage with some Argentine staples, including the El Clásico of Fernet and Coke and El Diego, concocted with sweet vermouth, Coke and a splash of whiskey. — Rick West, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin concoctus, past participle of concoquere to cook together, from com- + coquere to cook — more at cook

First Known Use

Verb

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for concoct

• deadlocked
• landlocked
• padlocked
• unblocked
• unlocked
• balked
• blocked
• chalked
• clocked
• cocked
• docked
• flocked

Kids Definition

concoct

verb

con·​coct kən-ˈkäkt 

kän-

1

: to prepare by combining various ingredients

concoct a stew

2

: to think up : invent

concoct a likely story

concoction

-ˈkäk-shən 

noun