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
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
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
Only weeks earlier, many serious hockey fans had criticized the tournament as a meaningless contrivance, a way for the N.H.L. to squeeze more money out of the season.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025
The contrivances required for the characters not to figure out the true identities of their mysterious correspondents are a little much, but director and co-writer Maria Torres (working from Wendy Mora’s novel) applies a light touch to both the in-person romance and the textual courtship.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
This is a neat contrivance and accounts for the subtle nature of the scent.
—John Burek, PCMAG, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrivance
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Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Only weeks earlier, many serious hockey fans had criticized the tournament as a meaningless contrivance, a way for the N.H.L. to squeeze more money out of the season.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025
The contrivances required for the characters not to figure out the true identities of their mysterious correspondents are a little much, but director and co-writer Maria Torres (working from Wendy Mora’s novel) applies a light touch to both the in-person romance and the textual courtship.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
This is a neat contrivance and accounts for the subtle nature of the scent.
—John Burek, PCMAG, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrivance
Cite this Entry
“Contrivance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contrivance. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
contrivance
noun
con·triv·ance
kən-ˈtrī-vən(t)s
: something (as a scheme or mechanical device) produced with skill and cleverness
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