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
The researchers presented toddlers with elaborate puzzle contraptions that contained prizes.
—
Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
When a rebellion erupts between Earth and its colonies, the ensuing conflict is fought by pilots in massive mechanized contraptions known as mobile suits.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
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
But these contraptions were so bulky that users had to hold them with their hands or wear them within headbands.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 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
Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
When a rebellion erupts between Earth and its colonies, the ensuing conflict is fought by pilots in massive mechanized contraptions known as mobile suits.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
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
But these contraptions were so bulky that users had to hold them with their hands or wear them within headbands.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contraptions
gadgets
Noun
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Your gadgets contain hazardous chemicals that can contaminate groundwater (not to mention, lithium batteries can start fires).—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
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As people who write about food and kitchen gadgets for a living, Bon Appétit editors are constantly surrounded by a wide range of products.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contraptions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contraptions. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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