1
as in gadget
an interesting and often novel device with a practical use
a new contrivance for cleaning computer keyboards
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in invention
something (as a device) created for the first time through the use of the imagination
despite the many modern contrivances for saving time and labor, we seem to have less leisure and energy than ever before
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in imagination
the ability to form mental images of things that either are not physically present or have never been conceived or created by others
in that writer's hands, narrative contrivance can often deteriorate into pointless gimmickry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contrivance
Only weeks earlier, many serious hockey fans had criticized the tournament as a meaningless contrivance, a way for the N.H.L. to squeeze more money out of the season.
—
Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025
The contrivances required for the characters not to figure out the true identities of their mysterious correspondents are a little much, but director and co-writer Maria Torres (working from Wendy Mora’s novel) applies a light touch to both the in-person romance and the textual courtship.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
This is a neat contrivance and accounts for the subtle nature of the scent.
—John Burek, PCMAG, 10 Jan. 2025
To gain her confidence, Arabella pretends to be Jewish (a hokey contrivance that Shakespeare would have approved of), and Indji shares the story of her banishment.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrivance
Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025
The contrivances required for the characters not to figure out the true identities of their mysterious correspondents are a little much, but director and co-writer Maria Torres (working from Wendy Mora’s novel) applies a light touch to both the in-person romance and the textual courtship.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
This is a neat contrivance and accounts for the subtle nature of the scent.
—John Burek, PCMAG, 10 Jan. 2025
To gain her confidence, Arabella pretends to be Jewish (a hokey contrivance that Shakespeare would have approved of), and Indji shares the story of her banishment.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrivance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrivance
Noun
-
The new Matter also gives manufacturers the option of embedding NFC tags inside smart home gadgets.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 2025
-
If your router supports it, use device-level firewall rules to limit which services or internet connections your smart gadgets can access.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2025
Noun
-
Separating fact from invention is difficult, but there have been rumors that there was more than one murderer, the killing was drug-related and — perhaps most disturbingly — that Driscoll was either dismembered or flayed alive.—
Alex Heigl,
People.com,
18 May 2025
-
The invention of the like button, which today can be found everywhere on the internet, transformed digital advertising and marketing and fueled the rise of the social media industry.—
Martin Reeves,
Harvard Business Review,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
Think about what your family values about toys — their ability to teach and to ignite your kids’ imaginations while keeping them occupied for long stretches of time — and then commit to only bringing home toys that fit that criteria.—
Stephanie Ganz,
Parents,
16 May 2025
-
Philadelphia captured everyone’s imagination with its Super Bowl beatdown of Kansas City and now is the NFL’s organizational measuring stick.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
These foods serve as guilt-free pick-me-ups and stress relievers, used as tools for temporary self-soothing.—
Christine Michel Carter,
Parents,
20 May 2025
-
In practice, the marketing language around these tools tends not to capture the ways that actual humans use them.—
Damon Beres,
The Atlantic,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
By integrating interns into the company culture early on, businesses can foster loyalty, drive innovation and ultimately create a more engaged workforce.—
Anne St. Peter,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
-
In this environment, many physicians are looking beyond traditional solutions and embracing innovation to ensure their practices remain sustainable and focused on care.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
However, instead of a more traditional setup the contraption featured five rows of keys topped with Chinese characters.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
7 May 2025
-
Retro-looking flashy contraptions like the Ford Volante concept car.—
Joe Salas
May 07,
New Atlas,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
In attempt to draw up intrigue for the upcoming season, teams flex their creativity in order to have the most memorable moment.—
C. Isaiah Smalls II,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2025
-
Moderated by filmmaker, writer and producer Margaret Zhang, the discussion will explore the creative journey through exclusive clips shown from the series, which offer a look into the nature of female creativity and the artistic process.—
Kirsten Chuba,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrivance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrivance. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share