as in gadgets
an interesting and often novel device with a practical use
built a contraption for automatically buttering toast
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Recent Examples of contraptions
From March 13-14, creators from around the world will assemble at Georgia Tech in Atlanta to demonstrate their unique, innovative, and frequently bizarre music-making contraptions.
—
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 21 Jan. 2026
Seeing how this popular Khmer noodle dish is still made, with wooden contraptions that have been used for centuries, is impressive.
—Vicky Smith, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
There are some contraptions that overcome this technological hurdle, but these are expensive or cumbersome.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 25 Dec. 2025
Plants grow toward light, microbes swim toward rich food sources, animals hide from predators, humans send giant metal contraptions into outer space.
—Adam Frank, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2025
View gallery - 3 images Colin Furze used to be a plumber, but really found his calling building wacky contraptions, like a homemade hoverbike, a bicycle with wheels made of ice, and automatic Wolverine claws.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 14 Dec. 2025
Some of these contraptions even come with a phone app that reminds you when to water your seedlings.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Dec. 2025
Its smaller size makes the Gallardo easier to use on real-world roads, while conventional doors—rather than unwieldy scissor-style contraptions—allow normal ingress/egress, and once inside, even tall drivers can see and function with relative ease.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2025
When a rebellion erupts between Earth and its colonies, the ensuing conflict is fought by pilots in massive mechanized contraptions known as mobile suits.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2025
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 21 Jan. 2026
Seeing how this popular Khmer noodle dish is still made, with wooden contraptions that have been used for centuries, is impressive.
—Vicky Smith, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
There are some contraptions that overcome this technological hurdle, but these are expensive or cumbersome.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 25 Dec. 2025
Plants grow toward light, microbes swim toward rich food sources, animals hide from predators, humans send giant metal contraptions into outer space.
—Adam Frank, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2025
View gallery - 3 images Colin Furze used to be a plumber, but really found his calling building wacky contraptions, like a homemade hoverbike, a bicycle with wheels made of ice, and automatic Wolverine claws.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 14 Dec. 2025
Some of these contraptions even come with a phone app that reminds you when to water your seedlings.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Dec. 2025
Its smaller size makes the Gallardo easier to use on real-world roads, while conventional doors—rather than unwieldy scissor-style contraptions—allow normal ingress/egress, and once inside, even tall drivers can see and function with relative ease.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2025
When a rebellion erupts between Earth and its colonies, the ensuing conflict is fought by pilots in massive mechanized contraptions known as mobile suits.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contraptions
gadgets
Noun
-
Across the street is Circus of Books, which has some unique gadgets and interesting literary selections.—
Jocelyn Silver,
Vogue,
27 Jan. 2026
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Xiaomi makes some of China's best-selling cellphones, gadgets and cars.—
John Ruwitch,
NPR,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contraptions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contraptions. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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