1
as in gadget
an interesting and often novel device with a practical use
a new contrivance for cleaning computer keyboards
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrivance
Dara’s performance remains its only bright element but even that gets lost in the many surrounding contrivances.
—
Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 15 Dec. 2025
The otherwise puzzling choice to film her monologuing about Mormonism while driving feels like a contrivance to extract her from the luxurious interiors that are Bravolebrities’ natural habitat.
—Judy Berman, Time, 12 Nov. 2025
These contrivances became so well known that, in 2009, the All-American Rejects guitarist Nick Wheeler spent much of his appearance mocking them.
—Kim Hew-Low, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
Even the country’s name was a contrivance, borrowed from an empire that had flourished a thousand years earlier and hundreds of miles away, in what is now Mauritania and Mali.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrivance
Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 15 Dec. 2025
The otherwise puzzling choice to film her monologuing about Mormonism while driving feels like a contrivance to extract her from the luxurious interiors that are Bravolebrities’ natural habitat.
—Judy Berman, Time, 12 Nov. 2025
These contrivances became so well known that, in 2009, the All-American Rejects guitarist Nick Wheeler spent much of his appearance mocking them.
—Kim Hew-Low, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
Even the country’s name was a contrivance, borrowed from an empire that had flourished a thousand years earlier and hundreds of miles away, in what is now Mauritania and Mali.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrivance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrivance
Noun
-
His take on smart glasses isn't typical consumer gadgets from past tech flops, but advanced industrial AR glasses that offer real-time guidance, safety alerts and operational insights directly in a worker's field of view.—
Sarwant Singh,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Plus, score beauty gems like a Prada Eau de Parfum and a viral K-beauty skin care gadget.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Deere’s invention, made from a broken sawblade, established his company among early Midwest farmers.—
Anna Ortiz,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Some changes will be a return to the past, and some will be new inventions.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And all the teachers were social documentary still photographers and filmmakers, reminding me that there is as much drama in what is and what was as anything that the human imagination dreams up.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
1 Feb. 2026
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In the production, Hayes plays Elliott, a writer grappling with creative paralysis who retreats to a remote cabin, only to find the line between imagination and reality dangerously blurred.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Together, these tools create a more streamlined, precise, and safer approach to the repetitive and high-volume tasks common in large-scale data center projects.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
-
In Mendonça’s work, memory functions as a tool of defiance.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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As a showcase of youth innovation, future artificial intelligence technology took center stage in Rancho Cordova with students showing off their bots.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
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Swishahouse became synonymous with innovation, hustle, and community, producing legendary mixtapes, shaping radio culture, and influencing generations of artists across hip-hop and beyond.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The man held a large oblong contraption.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
26 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
Noun
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Create Shadow Art Shadow art is a great way to lean into Groundhog Day while also letting kids express their own creativity.—
Marilyn La Jeunesse,
Parents,
31 Jan. 2026
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Able to operate across the midfield, the 23-year-old would provide bite and physicality during Joelinton’s ongoing injury absence, while also offering creativity in attack, which Newcastle have lacked, especially in away matches.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contrivance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrivance. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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