contrivance

noun

con·​triv·​ance kən-ˈtrī-vən(t)s 

1

a

: a thing contrived

especially : a mechanical device

modern contrivances to cook food faster

b

: an artificial arrangement or development

Mistaken identity is used as a plot contrivance in the story.

2

: the act or faculty of contriving : the state of being contrived

Synonyms

• appliance
• contraption
• gadget
• gimmick
• gizmo
• gismo
• jigger
• widget

Examples of contrivance in a Sentence

The story is filled with plot contrivances that do not fit the ending.

He told the story honestly and without contrivance.

a contrivance to get out of doing the work

He convinced her to go without using contrivance.

Recent Examples on the Web

But contrivances now become necessary to keep some of the new supporting figures in play in a story like this. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2025

It should be replaced with a sprawling, soulless contrivance. —Noah Rothman, National Review, 3 Apr. 2025

At one level, the film offers a comic commentary on the repetition of certain dramatic contrivances down the years. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025

The builder of the applet has seeded into the applet the whole contrivance about the importance of video game playing. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

contrive + -ance

First Known Use

circa 1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for contrivance

• connivance

Kids Definition

contrivance

noun

con·​triv·​ance kən-ˈtrī-vən(t)s 

: something (as a scheme or mechanical device) produced with skill and cleverness