1
as in to devise
to create or think of by clever use of the imagination
contrived abstract metal sculptures using old household utensils
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to plot
to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends
the mischievous boys were always contriving and trying to pull the prank that would be the talk of the school
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to negotiate
to plan out usually with subtle skill or care
contrived a way of planning the surprise party without their catching on to it
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrive
Its inner acolytes came across, by contrast, as uncannily contrived kooks.
—
Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2025
Charlamagne continued, asserting that West’s actions are contrived in an attempt to garner attention.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 18 Mar. 2025
Parents can expect to see a diverse leading cast, that doesn't feel contrived at all but rather, shows what high-level officials, politicians, soldiers, and world leaders look like in the real world.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 14 Feb. 2025
Even Belinda’s presence in Thailand still feels contrived to me.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2025
Charlamagne continued, asserting that West’s actions are contrived in an attempt to garner attention.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 18 Mar. 2025
Parents can expect to see a diverse leading cast, that doesn't feel contrived at all but rather, shows what high-level officials, politicians, soldiers, and world leaders look like in the real world.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 14 Feb. 2025
Even Belinda’s presence in Thailand still feels contrived to me.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrive
Verb
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Sergio Mercado Design For a project in Palm Beach, Florida, Sergio Mercado Design devised a minimalist space, allowing for the colorful artwork to take center stage.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
29 Apr. 2025
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The authors devised a set of experiments to scientifically investigate the phase behavior of water, starch, and cheese mixed together in various concentrations and at different temperatures.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Victoria Goodwin has accepted a plea deal for her involvement in plotting her estranged husband Aaron Goodwin’s murder.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
16 Apr. 2025
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Leaders assume everything is fine, not realizing that high performers are masters at appearing fine while already plotting their next move.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The league’s roster rules are curated to maintain competitive parity, and include facets like salary caps, international slots and a hard limit on how many players can earn above the annual senior maximum salary (as negotiated with its players union in collective bargaining).—
Jeff Rueter,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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Juggling showings, negotiating offers, and hunting for your dream home within budget is an all-consuming task.—
Kristine Gill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Epitomizing what seems an unsustainable recent trend, a second straight 2-0 win over Houston was concocted by way of their third sacrifice fly in two days and a Vinnie Pasquantino home run among their grand total of three hits.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2025
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The Penzance Musical, an exquisitely funny, meticulously concocted theatrical pavlova—the 1879 operetta The Pirates of Penzance by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan—has been whacked with a mallet.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Kiffin often schemed open the first read, and Dart operated almost entirely out of the shotgun.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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That is complicit with scheming orchestrated by politicized bureaucrats.—
Jack Fowler,
National Review,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Lithos arranges for the dust to be collected at the rock quarries and transported to local farms.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2025
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The California Academy of Sciences and East Bay Regional Parks arranged for the whale to be towed to Angel Island State Park by a private towing service so that a necropsy could be conducted, according to a statement from the Marine Mammal Center and California Academy of Sciences.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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New portable instruments, such as the saxophone, were invented as well.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
24 Apr. 2025
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However, the patent underscores how reliant companies like Roku are on inventing new ways to force ads onto users, which makes Roku stand out to advertisers.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The police then conspired to fabricate evidence and lie under oath to protect their own, the defense alleged.—
Jean Casarez,
CNN Money,
25 Apr. 2025
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Read says Boston-area first responders conspired to frame her for the Keefe's death in January 2022, when the former police officer was found mortally wounded outside a Canton, Massachusetts, home.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrive. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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