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
Her sartorial concoctions rivaled the contraptions of Rube Goldberg.
—
Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2025
As Eve and Julian via Ares fight over a code for permanence that could turn Ares from code to human, stunt sequences involving contraptions from the familiar light cycle to a boat and submarine hybrid, and many moments are backed by needle drops from Nine Inch Nails, who scored the film, or others.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
Smile over the ridiculous contraptions created for Diamond Peak Ski Resort’s annual Dummy Downhill event, or Mountainfest/Preston and Steve’s Cardboard Classic, both featured in the film.
—Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 3 Oct. 2025
Smaller bamboo contraptions often poke out of windows, or cover air conditioning units and balconies.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
So Ukrainian and Russian mechanics keep tinkering with their contraptions to keep the tanks in the fight.
—Marco Hernandez, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
In this case, pressing L2 and R2 at the same time activates a type of vision that will show players demonic contraptions that are invisible to the human eye.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2025
The sweet, young blasted-to-pieces kids are hooked up to contraptions or lie there too depressed to even blink.
—Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2025
These machines are typically massive, tentacled contraptions that require billions of dollars and decades to construct.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 Dec. 2024
Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2025
As Eve and Julian via Ares fight over a code for permanence that could turn Ares from code to human, stunt sequences involving contraptions from the familiar light cycle to a boat and submarine hybrid, and many moments are backed by needle drops from Nine Inch Nails, who scored the film, or others.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
Smile over the ridiculous contraptions created for Diamond Peak Ski Resort’s annual Dummy Downhill event, or Mountainfest/Preston and Steve’s Cardboard Classic, both featured in the film.
—Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 3 Oct. 2025
Smaller bamboo contraptions often poke out of windows, or cover air conditioning units and balconies.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
So Ukrainian and Russian mechanics keep tinkering with their contraptions to keep the tanks in the fight.
—Marco Hernandez, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
In this case, pressing L2 and R2 at the same time activates a type of vision that will show players demonic contraptions that are invisible to the human eye.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2025
The sweet, young blasted-to-pieces kids are hooked up to contraptions or lie there too depressed to even blink.
—Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2025
These machines are typically massive, tentacled contraptions that require billions of dollars and decades to construct.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contraptions
gadgets
Noun
-
Check that all your kitchen appliances and gadgets work properly and are used regularly.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Oct. 2025
-
See which gadgets made a difference.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contraptions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contraptions. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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