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
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Recent Examples of contrive
Characters take on lives of their own, making choices that feel authentic rather than contrived.
—
Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2025
But the confidence and craftsmanship invested in Crash are, ultimately, the problem, because the infuriatingly contrived screenplay and hushed seriousness conspire to produce a risible portrait of complex social issues reduced to glib plot points.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
Is this explanation contrived and littered with potential plot points?
—Abby Monteil, Them., 28 Mar. 2025
Its inner acolytes came across, by contrast, as uncannily contrived kooks.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2025
But the confidence and craftsmanship invested in Crash are, ultimately, the problem, because the infuriatingly contrived screenplay and hushed seriousness conspire to produce a risible portrait of complex social issues reduced to glib plot points.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
Is this explanation contrived and littered with potential plot points?
—Abby Monteil, Them., 28 Mar. 2025
Its inner acolytes came across, by contrast, as uncannily contrived kooks.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrive
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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Those close to her say the focus has been less about plotting her next campaign and more about helping shape the Democratic Party's path forward.—
Nidia Cavazos,
CBS News,
1 May 2025
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Mangione, accused of plotting and carrying out the murder of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024, has garnered a following after the fact.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
1 May 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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The imperialists never stop scheming against China.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
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Brick arrived at the hospital where Sonny was being treated just in time to save the mob boss' life, as an assassin posing as a nurse was scheming to take him out.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But the large open kitchen that takes up most of the room is the same—with cooks’ stations encircling a central vent that’s dramatically cantilevered, like the funnel of a cruise ship—as is the seating, much of it arranged around a sweeping U-shaped counter.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
4 May 2025
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Anderson, through his license for use of Lee’s name and likeness, arranged for Lee to gift him personal items that were to be placed in the museum but were allegedly rerouted to Anderson’s businesses.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
2 May 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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Lori Vallow Daybell is speaking out for the first time after being found guilty of conspiring to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, in Arizona.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
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 9 May. 2025.
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