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
Curtis’ interactions with Powter are so pure, and illustrate the two women’s similarities in such revealing ways, that the contrivance of their meeting ceased to bother me.
—
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Nov. 2025
The otherwise puzzling choice to film her monologuing about Mormonism while driving feels like a contrivance to extract her from the luxurious interiors that are Bravolebrities’ natural habitat.
—Judy Berman, Time, 12 Nov. 2025
These contrivances became so well known that, in 2009, the All-American Rejects guitarist Nick Wheeler spent much of his appearance mocking them.
—Kim Hew-Low, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
There’s too much contrivance on a scene-to-scene basis, and an inorganic feel to the general conceit.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrivance
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Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Nov. 2025
The otherwise puzzling choice to film her monologuing about Mormonism while driving feels like a contrivance to extract her from the luxurious interiors that are Bravolebrities’ natural habitat.
—Judy Berman, Time, 12 Nov. 2025
These contrivances became so well known that, in 2009, the All-American Rejects guitarist Nick Wheeler spent much of his appearance mocking them.
—Kim Hew-Low, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
There’s too much contrivance on a scene-to-scene basis, and an inorganic feel to the general conceit.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 Oct. 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 30 Nov. 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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