as in devising
to create or think of by clever use of the imagination
trying to concoct an explanation for how the lamp got broken by itself
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Recent Examples of concocting
Both activities can be fairly ordinary hobbies—games of imagination not so different from crushing on a pop star or concocting stories about a film protagonist.
—
Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2026
Later in the episode, Kody took aim at Janelle, accusing her once again of concocting a plan to try and sell Coyote Pass out from under Meri.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
So is facing a deluge of division title-winners who spent the offseason concocting new ways to beat them.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Notably, the computers seem to have a knack for concocting bizarre physics experiments — designs that humans wouldn’t think of, which nevertheless work.
—Quanta Magazine, 17 Dec. 2025
The menu at Otaleg is constantly evolving, as Radicioni experiments with new combinations in his gelato laboratory, often concocting head-turning flavors based on his favorite savory dishes.
—Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 10 Nov. 2025
China has also been concocting a pretext for action.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Orbán has long sought to consolidate his power through concocting scapegoats for Hungary’s ills.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
Not only is the kitchen fully on display but a separate alcove is given over to his highly technical lab, a play space dedicated to fermentation, aging, preserving and otherwise concocting.
—Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2026
Later in the episode, Kody took aim at Janelle, accusing her once again of concocting a plan to try and sell Coyote Pass out from under Meri.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
So is facing a deluge of division title-winners who spent the offseason concocting new ways to beat them.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Notably, the computers seem to have a knack for concocting bizarre physics experiments — designs that humans wouldn’t think of, which nevertheless work.
—Quanta Magazine, 17 Dec. 2025
The menu at Otaleg is constantly evolving, as Radicioni experiments with new combinations in his gelato laboratory, often concocting head-turning flavors based on his favorite savory dishes.
—Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 10 Nov. 2025
China has also been concocting a pretext for action.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Orbán has long sought to consolidate his power through concocting scapegoats for Hungary’s ills.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
Not only is the kitchen fully on display but a separate alcove is given over to his highly technical lab, a play space dedicated to fermentation, aging, preserving and otherwise concocting.
—Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concocting
Verb
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The Panthers spent most of Saturday’s game (as well as their previous matchup with the Rams) devising ways to get McMillan and Coker running down the field against those small corners.—
Derrik Klassen,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
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The 40-year-old cooks up ways to make quarterbacks miserable in his sleep, devising schemes that are meant to lure as much as they are intended to confuse.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Created by Terry Nation, the man credited with inventing the Daleks, Blake’s 7 aired for four seasons on the BBC from 1978 to 1981.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
19 Jan. 2026
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If your brain immediately starts inventing imaginary future scenarios, that’s often your sign the item has already served its purpose.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When researchers abruptly changed the shape or layout of the tank, the previously active neural ensemble quieted down within minutes, while a new configuration of neurons rapidly took over—constructing an entirely new spatial map.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
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The TikTok tradeoff is dynamic scanning, selecting, and constructing in return for patience, credulity, and willingness to follow direction.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Concocting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concocting. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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