1
as in gadgets
an interesting and often novel device with a practical use
a new contrivance for cleaning computer keyboards
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in inventions
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrivances
The new bosses’ high-class problems are always tertiary to the Josh-Lindsay-Ashley-Austin quadfecta and never stop feeling tacked-on, even when plot contrivances transport the entire ensemble to Seoul for the finale.
—
Alison Herman, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
The very setup suggests a screenwriter whose sense of psychology is defined with arid literalism by his own just-so, cut-to-fit contrivances.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
Even those unfamiliar with the story are likely to scoff at the new plot contrivances.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
The dialogue is overwrought, the plot contrivances are gratuitous, and the show has never been more fun.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
The script, also by Ahn, leans slightly too much on contrivances to nudge the relationship along.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
In another area of the factory, machines installed four years earlier already lack certain even-more-modern contrivances.
—Sacbee.com, 18 Dec. 2025
To be fair, most romance plotting is built on contrivances and guaranteed happily ever afters.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Get past the contrivances, and the comedy has some perceptive observations about the way grief and secrets can color a relationship, plus some very trenchant commentary about the sorry state of the Los Angeles real estate market.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Dec. 2024
Alison Herman, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
The very setup suggests a screenwriter whose sense of psychology is defined with arid literalism by his own just-so, cut-to-fit contrivances.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
Even those unfamiliar with the story are likely to scoff at the new plot contrivances.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
The dialogue is overwrought, the plot contrivances are gratuitous, and the show has never been more fun.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
The script, also by Ahn, leans slightly too much on contrivances to nudge the relationship along.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
In another area of the factory, machines installed four years earlier already lack certain even-more-modern contrivances.
—Sacbee.com, 18 Dec. 2025
To be fair, most romance plotting is built on contrivances and guaranteed happily ever afters.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Get past the contrivances, and the comedy has some perceptive observations about the way grief and secrets can color a relationship, plus some very trenchant commentary about the sorry state of the Los Angeles real estate market.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrivances
Noun
-
Best Travel Tech Deals Buying new travel tech doesn’t have to be expensive—Amazon has amazing deals on gadgets that are guaranteed to make your next trip easier.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Snap up these nifty gadgets ahead of Mother’s Day or to treat your kitchen to a proper upgrade.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In fact, feathers are one of evolution’s cleverest inventions.—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
1 May 2026
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The suspect appeared in a 2017 segment on KABC-TV about a conference showcasing inventions aimed at improving the lives of seniors.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In a further adaptation, the Buddhist Five Precepts were rewritten specifically for the robot, with input reportedly drawn from AI tools including Gemini and ChatGPT.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 May 2026
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While digital tools will remain part of the landscape, Bugenhagen believes there is growing space for models that prioritize human insight and structured guidance.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Noun
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The exercise involves IDing those objects, stating who made them and why, and accounting for formal innovations across time and cultural differences.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
4 May 2026
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With Western military aid and innovations from Ukraine’s now-thriving domestic defense industry, Kyiv has weakened Russia’s economy and military.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contrivances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrivances. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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