contrive

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verb con·trive \ kən-ˈtrīv \

Definition of contrive

contrived; contriving

transitive verb

1 a :devise, plan

contrive ways of handling the situation

The prisoners contrived a way to escape.

b :to form or create in an artistic or ingenious manner

contrived household utensils from stone

Native Americans contrived weapons out of stone, wood, and bone.

2 :to bring about by stratagem or with difficulty :manage

he contrived to win their support

intransitive verb

:to make schemes

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contriver

noun

See contrive defined for English-language learners

See contrive defined for kids

Examples of contrive in a Sentence

The prisoners contrived a way to escape.
He contrived a meeting with the president.

Recent Examples of contrive from the Web

That happens when the plot contrives to conveniently take both her husband and her father-in-law away from the house at the same time.

— kenneth turan, Detroit Free Press, "Review: Passion, oppression drive ‘Lady Macbeth’ story line," 27 July 2017
Instagram has set such an impossible bar for the beauty young women are expected to exhibit in their daily lives that a lot of us wouldn’t want to post anything that wasn’t retouched or contrived in some way.

— amy odell, Cosmopolitan, "Stop Critiquing Women for Photoshopping Their Instagram Photos," 27 July 2017
Despite the mounting evidence that the offending news stories were contrived, the blockade has remained in place through extensive diplomatic intervention from abroad.

— chicagotribune.com, "The Iranian cyberthreat is real," 26 July 2017
But, final triumph of ingenuity, Megapolis One somehow contrives to be an exceedingly pleasant place to life.

— maggie doherty, New Republic, "Fairytales Punish the Curious," 18 July 2017
The drama is often contrived; the understanding of how magazines work is misinformed even for a TV show; the tone is saccharine enough to give even the most patient viewers cavities.

— vanityfair.com, "The Bold Type Is the Bubbly, Ridiculous Dramedy You Need This Summer," 11 July 2017
The drama is often contrived; the understanding of how magazines work is misinformed even for a TV show; the tone is saccharine enough to give even the most patient viewers cavities.

— laura bradley, HWD, "The Bold Type Is the Bubbly, Ridiculous Dramedy You Need This Summer," 11 July 2017
To cut this dynamic short, Republicans have contrived the conceit that the choice facing their party isn’t between fixing Obamacare and replacing it, but between replacing Obamacare and allowing single payer—

— brian beutler, New Republic, "Bernie Sanders and the Progressive Left’s Selfless Defense of Obamacare," 3 July 2017
That might be due to O.A.R.'s talent for ad libbing and contriving new ways to perform the same song.

— patrick cooley, cleveland.com, "Train, O.A.R., Nastasha Bedingfield entertain fans at Blossom Music Center (photos)," 25 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contrive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of contrive

Middle English controven, contreven, from Anglo-French controver, contrever, from Medieval Latin contropare to compare, from Latin com- + Vulgar Latin *tropare to compose, find — more at troubadour

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First Known Use: 14th century

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contrive Synonyms

CONTRIVE Defined for English Language Learners

contrive

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verb

Definition of contrive for English Language Learners

: to form or think of (a plan, method, etc.)
: to form or make (something) in a skillful or clever way
: to make (something) happen in a clever way or with difficulty

CONTRIVE Defined for Kids

contrive

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verb con·trive \ kən-ˈtrīv \

Definition of contrive for Students

contrived; contriving

1 :²plan 1, plot

We must contrive a way to escape.

2 :to form or make in some skillful or clever way

He contrived a small pipe out of the piece of wood.

3 :to manage to bring about or do

She contrived to get there on time.

Learn More about contrive

See words that rhyme with contrive Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for contrive Spanish Central: Translation of contrive Nglish: Translation of contrive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of contrive for Arabic speakers

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