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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrive
Emond’s script deftly contrives a third act that’s hopeful but still flecked with genuine despair.
—
Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025
She’s encountered her share of both real and contrived rivalries — par for the course for most pop stars — but never anything explosive enough to disrupt her unbothered aura of tranquility.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2025
The arguments in favor of this working seem rather contrived.
—Lee Billings, Scientific American, 21 May 2025
Hayek’s laissez-faire styling wasn’t contrived, either.
—Rosa Rahimi, CNN Money, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025
She’s encountered her share of both real and contrived rivalries — par for the course for most pop stars — but never anything explosive enough to disrupt her unbothered aura of tranquility.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2025
The arguments in favor of this working seem rather contrived.
—Lee Billings, Scientific American, 21 May 2025
Hayek’s laissez-faire styling wasn’t contrived, either.
—Rosa Rahimi, CNN Money, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrive
Verb
-
Flummoxed in Congress, organizing back home The pushback to Trump has been slow in starting as congressional Democrats, outnumbered in both chambers, continue to struggle to devise the strongest message and most effective tactics to use against the Republican president.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
16 June 2025
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For this space, Pablo Luna Studio devised a new type of harmony that combines inventiveness with deep roots.—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Verb
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Sitting around the long table in the Cabinet Room, Netanyahu reminded Trump that Iran had plotted to assassinate him, according to one of the officials who attended the meeting.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
19 June 2025
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The State of Connecticut on Wednesday dropped criminal contempt charges against Michelle Troconis, who’s already serving more than 14 years for helping plot the murder of her then-boyfriend’s estranged wife, Jennifer Farber Dulos.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2025
Verb
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The Englishman is represented by his mother Marcia Lewis, who negotiated the deal with Arsenal.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
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Authorities spent hours trying to negotiate a peaceful surrender, police said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Essentially, people are challenging themselves to concoct the most atrociously belligerent bass in history.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
4 June 2025
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In second place is Jeff (Ramy Youssef), an AI guru getting a lot of love from the public sector about an anti-deepfake filter his company has concocted.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
31 May 2025
Verb
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The teacher becomes a hapless victim in what appear to be highly improbable situations, orchestrated by a cartoonishly scheming Ritsuko to frame Seichii.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
19 June 2025
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The Veep alum first joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as scheming agent Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in The Falcon and Winter Soldier, and has since made splashy appearances in Black Widow, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and most recently, Thunderbolts*.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Palm Beach County Commissioner Sara Baxter has rushed to arrange a commission vote, ratifying it.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2025
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Attentive staffers will be on hand for towel drops and spritz refills, as well as to help arrange water sports or beach games.—
Cameron Sperance,
Travel + Leisure,
20 June 2025
Verb
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Wall Street occasionally invents merry-go-rounds that work for a while but lack obvious exit strategies.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
12 June 2025
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It’s been said that Brian invented the state of California, the state of mind.—
August Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2025
Verb
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Daybell, 51, was found guilty on Thursday of conspiring to kill Brandon Boudreaux, the ex-husband of her niece, in October 2019, according to The Associated Press, as well as local outlets ABC 15 and NBC 12.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
13 June 2025
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In his motion, Brindley accused the U.S. Attorney’s Office of knowingly conspiring to use information protected by attorney-client privilege, including information procured from one of Kelly’s cellmates.—
Christie D’Zurilla,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrive. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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